The United States of America has donated $8 million to help East African countries to fight the current locust menace. Locusts have invaded the region and caused massive panic and fears that the harvest will not be good this year.
USAID announced the funding today. It expects the funding to benefit Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya among other Horn of Africa nations hit hard by the infestation. USAID said the government of the United States wants to help to forestall the impending food crisis.
The region has grappled with this problem for the last four months. So far, the insects have destroyed millions of acres of agricultural land. Consequently, the threat to food security is unparalleled. Farmers are nursing huge losses too.
USAID said, “The money will help the East African countries to reduce the swarms and invasion, which is the worst in history for this region. Therefore, the financial aid will impact the affected communities in the region positively.”
The funding through USAID is the second time the United States is supporting efforts aimed at controlling the invasion. Billions of locusts have invaded the Horn of Africa region. They have devoured crops and vegetation. Washington says, “Locusts have destroyed livestock pastures.”