These are exceedingly difficult times for farmers in East Africa and South Asia. Amid the economic fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic, swarms of locusts numbering in the hundreds of billions are inundating the regions—the worst infestation of its kind in 25 years. In East Africa, the FAO believes the oncoming second wave of locusts “represents an unprecedented threat to food security and livelihoods because [the second wave] coincides with the beginning of the long rains and the planting season.” 

The aim of the event is threefold:

• Deliver a detailed update on the locust infestations in East Africa and South Asia – their scope, trajectory, and current level of damage
• Summarize FAO’s efforts in affected areas to mitigate the swarms, noting key challenges, proven interventions, and the economic costs of inaction
• Identify policy actions necessary to prevent widespread food insecurity in affected areas

We hope you will join us for an online, technical discussion on Wednesday, April 29, from 10:00-11:15 a.m. EST about “Mitigating Africa’s and Asia’s Locust Infestation amid the Covid-19 Pandemic.” 

Featuring a keynote address by:

Dominique Burgeon, Director of Emergencies, UN Food and Agriculture Organization

Followed by a panel discussion including:

Stephanie Hanson, Senior Vice President, One Acre Fund

Matt Nims, Deputy Director, Food for Peace, USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance

Stephen Njoka (invited), Director, Desert Locust Control Organization for Eastern Africa

 H.E. Umer Husen (invited), Minister of Agriculture, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Welcoming remarks by:

Caitlin Welsh, Director, CSIS Global Food Security Program

Vimlendra Sharan, Director, Liaison Office for North America, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAOLOW)

Moderated by:

Christian Man, Research Fellow, CSIS Global Food Security Program

This event will be live-webcast from the event page. This event is made possible in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Liaison Office for North America.

Join the conversation on Twitter using #CSISLive during the event.