CERF allocates $4.7 million to control migratory locust populations in Madagascar.
Locus [Photo: FAO]
31 August 2010: CERF allocates $4.7 million to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to control migratory locust populations in Madagascar.
Madagascar’s humanitarian situation has recently been characterized by three simultaneous crises of socio-political conflict, cyclone, and drought. Despite recent interventions, repeated erratic rainfall has caused approximately 100,000 to be classified as in acute food difficulty. Furthermore, southern Madagascar is currently experiencing a crisis caused by an upsurge of the Malagasy Migratory Locust population. Beginning in June 2010, reports of swarms of locusts have been reported. It is feared that this current upsurge will continue through the next rainy season. If this is the case, it is estimated that some 460,000 households would be affected by the infestation over an area of 500,000 hectares and crop losses will total $135 million. This potential threat is especially worrisome in a country where 80 per cent of the population’s livelihoods depend on agriculture, and where recent crises have already reduced food security. [Last update: 1 November 2010]
Madagascar in 2009 Madagascar in 2008 Madagascar in 2007