The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization or UN FAO is appealing to South Sudan to prepare and prevent the outbreak of locusts in the country because the threat is so high.
FAO Country Representative, Meshack Malo emphasizes on the importance of cooperation among the East African community to deal with the insects.
He mentions countries like Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia that have been attacked by the desert locusts, causing a serious threat to the nation.
‘One of the things that we must do is preparedness. As you can see the locusts have flown Yemen, Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya. That means that it’s a pest that requires a lot of cooperation among the member states so that it can be effectively controlled because it crosses the borders. It doesn’t respect the borders. So this is where first, the cooperation among states, particularly the East African cooperation, even globally as the African Union. For South Sudan, first, is the preparedness on identification and monitoring’, Malo stresses.
He says FAO’s estimate is on 25 and 26 of January, 2020 for the locusts to reach the country.
With the threat, the agricultural organization is working hard with the ministry of Agriculture to monitor where and when the locusts will reach the nation, Mr Malo adds.
‘We have been working with the honorable Minister of Agriculture to monitor and know where they are, when they are unlikely event landing in South Sudan and when is it going to be. We have been training very quickly, fifteen field monitors that we are going to disperse this week to go to these areas because their entry may be Torit, and other states that are bordering Ethiopia so that they can be able to send us information very first in case of any outbreak. Spray is the best method of treatment’, says Malo.
He calls upon donors to support in dealing with the locusts. He warns that the insects can fly a long distance.
‘We are really very much dependent and thankful to the efforts on the Kenyans and Ethiopian sides for controlling these insects. They are flying with a lot of strength’, he adds.
Locusts are dangerous insects as they move in swarms and can eat food within a short time that is worth consumed by two thousand five hundred people. They are creating huge destruction in Ethiopia and Kenya for example.