SADC Launches Virtual Regional Appeal on African Migratory Locust Outbreak

Gaborone, Botswana, 10th November 2020: A devastating African Migratory Locust outbreaks have affected Southern African Development Community (SADC) region since the beginning of the year.

The first outbreak which was first reported in February, 2020 affected eight Member States namely; Botswana, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia.

At the time, the affected Member States were able to control the swarms.

However, there was a resurgence of the locusts in May,affecting Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Currently, the African Migratory Locust swarms in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe have grown tremendously, rendering the on-going efforts implemented both at national and regional level inadequate.

The current outbreak has a potential to spill beyond the five affected Member States if not urgently controlled. The outbreak poses a serious threat to the national and regional food security which already indicates high numbers of food insecure and vulnerable populations.

In light of this situation, Honourable Celso Ismael Correia Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Republic of Mozambique will on Wednesday, 11th November 2020launch a Regional Appeal on the African Migratory Locust Outbreak.

The Appeal aims to solicit support to complement the efforts that Member States, Civil Society Organizations and International Cooperating Partners are already making towards addressing the impacts of the locust outbreak.

Issued by the Communication and Public Relations Unit, SADC Secretariat

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Barbara Lopi, Head of Communication and Public Relations, SADC Secretariat

Tel: (+267) 364 1790; (+267) 395 1863 (Ext 1790) or Email: [email protected]