Combating the locust infestation in East Africa
26.6.2020
Question for written answer E-003777/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Janina Ochojska (PPE)
Since the beginning of the year, a dozen or so countries in East Africa, chiefly Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya, have been beset by locust invasions. The worst outbreak since the mid-20th century has seen hundreds of hectares of land infested, which has seriously exacerbated food insecurity. East Africa’s Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) are supporting governments by providing aircraft, pesticides and other means to monitor and combat the insects. However, lockdown measures implemented in other countries are slowing down FAO shipments of pesticides and materials, notably from South Africa. Food insecurity provoked by locust swarms has often taken the form of a humanitarian catastrophe. As part of a regional strategy to fight the pandemic, IGAD heads of state and government have decided to establish a regional emergency fund and called on international donors to help them strengthen their countries’ health systems and develop the local production of medicines and medical devices.
- 1.Does the EU intend to respond positively to IGAD’s call?
- 2.What measures does the Commission intend to take to forestall a humanitarian catastrophe in East Africa as a result of this locust invasion?