The Food and Agriculture Organization (Fao) has called for immediate action to mitigate the impact of the recent upsurge of desert locusts in the Horn of Africa where food security is already scarce.
"Timing and location are crucial. I hope we can work hard day and night so people do not lose their crops," said Fao director general Qu Dongyu.
The recent outbreak has hit countries along the East African coast, with Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia experiencing their worst outbreak for nearly a quarter of a century. Djibouti and Eritrea are the latest victims and the Fao has expressed concern that it will spread further to the likes of South Sudan and Uganda in particular.
It has mobilised $15.4m of the $76m needed to help the five countries combat the outbreak.
