Hundreds of millions of desert locusts are swarming in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia—some of the biggest numbers seen in more than 25 years. Unusually wet weather in the area toward the end of 2019 has contributed to the massive outbreak, driving an explosion of locusts that are destroying crops and threatening food security across the region. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization is requesting international assistance to combat the swarms, and warning of the potential for massive growth if they are left unchecked.
Worst Locust Swarms in Decades Hit East Africa
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Read moreSwarms of desert locusts fly into the air from crops in Katitika village, in Kitui county, Kenya, on January 24, 2020. #
Ben Curtis / AP -
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Read moreAhmed Ibrahim, an Ethiopian farmer, attempts to fend off desert locusts as they fly in his khat farm on the outskirts of Jijiga in Somali region, Ethiopia, on January 12, 2020. #
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Read moreLocusts swarm across a highway in Lerata village, near Archers Post in Samburu county, Kenya, on January 22, 2020. #
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Read moreA desert locust sits on a maize plant at a farm in Katitika village, Kitui county, Kenya, on January 24, 2020. #
Ben Curtis / AP -
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Read moreSwarms of desert locusts fly above trees in Katitika village, Kenya, on January 24, 2020. #
Ben Curtis / AP -
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Read moreAn Ethiopian girl attempts to drive off desert locusts on a farm on the outskirts of Jijiga, Ethiopia, on January 12, 2020. #
Giulia Paravicini / Reuters -
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Read moreDesert locusts cover branches in Katitika village, Kenya, on January 24, 2020. #
Ben Curtis / AP -
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Read moreLocusts swarm from ground vegetation as people approach in Lerata village, Kenya, on January 22, 2020. #
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Read moreLocusts congregate on ground vegetation in Larisoro village, Kenya, on January 21, 2020. #
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Read moreFarmers try to chase away swarms of desert locusts from a tree on their land by shaking branches, banging sticks together, and shouting, in Katitika village, Kenya, on January 24, 2020. #
Ben Curtis / AP -
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Read moreA farmer's daughter waves her shawl in the air to try to chase away swarms of desert locusts in Katitika village, Kenya, on January 24, 2020. #
Ben Curtis / AP -
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Read moreA Samburu man who works for a county disaster team identifying the location of the locusts, holds one on his hand near the village of Sissia, Kenya, on January 16, 2020. #
Patrick Ngugi / AP -
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Read moreTwo Samburu men who work for a county disaster team are surrounded by a swarm of desert locusts filling the air, near the village of Sissia, Kenya, on January 16, 2020. #
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Read moreDesert locusts cover branches in Katitika village, Kenya, on January 24, 2020. #
Ben Curtis / AP -
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Read moreA Samburu man rides his motorcycle through a swarm of desert locusts flying over grazing land in Lemasulani village, Samburu county, Kenya, on January 17, 2020. #
Njeri Mwangi / Reuters
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