Somalia declares ‘national emergency’ over locust swarms

Somalia has declared a national emergency as large swarms of locusts spread across East Africa.

The country’s Ministry of Agriculture said the insects, which consume large amounts of vegetation, posed “a major threat to Somalia’s fragile food security situation”.

There are fears that the situation may not be brought under control before the harvest begins in April.

The UN says the swarms are the largest in Somalia and Ethiopia in 25 years.

Meanwhile, according to the UN Food and Agriculture organization, neighbouring Kenya is also witnessing the worst locust threat of the last 70 years. However, Somalia is the first country in the region to declare an emergency over the infestation.

Earlier, Uganda was on high alert after swarms of locusts spread across East Africa.