Desert threat in the Sahel and West

Resilience Working Group Meeting (11 September 2020) Outline of Presentation

1. Original Risk of Desert Locust invasion 2. Potential impacts on 3. FAO’s Response Plan 4. Current Desert Locust situation and forecast 5. Ongoing activities ‐ Level of response 6. Resource mobilization

Commission de Lutte contre le Criquet Pèlerin Resilience Team West Africa/Sahel dans la Région Occidentale (CLCPRO) 2 1. Original Risk of Desert Locust invasion in West Africa and the Sahel

March 2020 : FAO/CLCPRO suggests that swarms may arrive in the Sahel from the Horn of Africa

May 2020 : FAO Desert Locust Information Service (DLIS) confirms the risk of swarms appearing in the Sahel (Eastern ) from breeding areas in and Eastern Africa (, ) as early as June 2020

May, 21st 2020 : FAO’s Regional Desert locust crisis Appeal for West Africa (May‐December 2020) launched

CLCPRO : Commission for controlling the DL in Western Region

Commission de Lutte contre le Criquet Pèlerin Resilience Team West Africa/Sahel dans la Région Occidentale (CLCPRO) 2. Impacts potentiels sur la sécurité alimentaire2. Potential impacts on food security

Desert Locust = the world's oldest migratory pest and dangerous predator

1 swarm of 1 km2 can consume as much food as 35,000 people in one day

 Serious threat to food security and people's livelihoods

With a locust invasion : 9.3 million people in crisis and worse In addition to the 17 million already projected for the lean season (June‐Aug. 2020) ‐ CH

Econometric model: Estimated impact of locust attack on agricultural production (millet, and groundnut crops) and pasture/fodder. 3. FAO’s Response Plan

1st scenario (USD 50 M) 6 countries G5 Sahel +1 : Chad, , , , and 300 000 ha infested, 75 000 farmers + 35 000 pastoralists targeted

2nd scenario (USD 75 M) 9 countries: G5 Sahel +1 + , and Cameroon 500 000 ha infested, , 100 000 farmers + 50 000 pastoralists targeted

10 million ha to be monitored in 9 countries

Commission de Lutte contre le Criquet Pèlerin Resilience Team West Africa/Sahel dans la Région Occidentale (CLCPRO) 5 3. FAO’s Response Plan (Cont.)3. Actions de réponse

Axis 1: Curb the spread of Desert Locust (USD 14‐23 million) • Continuous monitoring for fast and early detection (area coverage & eLocust3m/w/g) • Ground and aerial treatments using appropriate means (pesticides, , IGR) • Environmental, human and health safeguards (compliance with standards/assessments) Axis 2. Safeguard livelihoods and promote early recovery (USD 33‐47 million) • Support in agricultural inputs (seeds, fertilizers, small equipment, etc.) • Livestock support (animal feed, multi‐nutrient blocks, licking blocks, etc.) • Support in cash transfers for the most vulnerable

Axis 3. Coordination and Preparedness (USD 3‐5 million) • Rapid technical support to Governments and country offices • Facilitation of regional partnerships and collaborations (CLCPRO, REOWA, FAO HQ, ECOWAS, etc.). • Regional advocacy and coordination at country level (regular briefings, inclusion in CH analysis) • Regional and national capacity building, major preparation (training, contingency planning, knowledge management) Resilience Team West Africa/Sahel 4. Current Desert Locust Situation and Forecast

‐ The situation remains calm in West Africa. ‐ Situation: Isolated adults in Mauritania, Mali, Niger, and breeding in Chad ‐ Exceptionally good rains => annual vegetation become green and breeding conditions become favourable from Mali to Chad. In Mauritania rains were light to moderate = still favourable conditions. ‐ Forecast: Small‐scale breeding in the northern Sahel from Mauritania to Chad. ‐ Small‐scale breeding is likely to be in progress and will continue in areas of recent rainfall => slight increase of locust numbers but still below threatening levels. ‐ Sahel of West Africa = breeding areas for summer rains (July‐September/October 2020) Resilience Team West Africa/Sahel (Source: FAO, Desert Locust Bulletin, N°503, 2 September 2020) 4. On‐going Actions –3. Réponse déjà en cours Level of Response

Deployment of Assessment Mobilization of funds prospection teams in & Analysis of from the FRGRA the 4 frontline pesticide countries stocks

Regular meetings for Acquisition of equipment Training national information and teams coordination

DGPS Camping material 1 Helicopter in Triangulation of Chad for Sprayers, pesticides Vehicles, GPS, etc. Surveillance Drones for prospection

STRATEGY: PREPAREDNESS & ANTICIPATION – CAPACITY BUILDING ‐ PRE POSITIONNING OF ASSETS – EARLY WARNING FOR EARLY ACTION ‐ INFORMATION & COORDINATION 5. Resource Mobilization

Financing Regional Appeal FAO (Scenario 1) Financing CLCPRO’s Action Plan (Aug.‐Nov. 2020)

16% 27%

Mobilisé Mobilisé Gap Gap

73% 84%

Partners: Republique of Korea, FCDO Mobilized: USD 6,95 M CLCPRO Emergency Fund and FAO No regret principle At Country level to Governments: World Bank and AfDB CERF/OCHA USD 7M on stand‐by Useful links

THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION

• Desert Locust Appeal West Africa : http://www.fao.org/emergencies/resources/documents/resources‐ detail/en/c/1276774/ • Desert Locust watch page: http://www.fao.org/ag/locusts/en/info/info/index.html • Desert locust hub: https://locust‐hub‐hqfao.hub.arcgis.com/ • Desert locust crisis page: http://www.fao.org/emergencies/crisis/desertlocust/en • Desert locust dashboard : http://www.fao.org/emergencies/crisis/desertlocust/en • CLCPRO : http://www.fao.org/clcpro/fr/ • Facebook/Twitter: faolocust

Subscribe to the Newsletter at: [email protected]

Commission de Lutte contre le Criquet Pèlerin Resilience Team West Africa/Sahel dans la Région Occidentale (CLCPRO) 10