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East African countries are currently battling two large-scale disasters simultaneously: the worst desert locust outbreak in decades and the COVID-19 pandemic. These two crises have many parallels: they are transnational problems that do not adhere to borders; if not contained, each has the ability to expand exponentially; it is difficult to estimate the extent of each crisis; and both have the potential to cause devastating impacts on the population. Together, the two crises pose significant risks to public health and the well-being of the population in East Africa, impacting the economy, affecting livelihoods and further worsening the food security situation. Simultaneously, current seasonal rains in East Africa are likely to bring moderate to heavy rains in the region, triggering floods that may deepen existing needs and complicate continued responses to both crises (FEWS NET 05/05/2020).
The combination of the COVID-19 pandemic and the locust outbreak is challenging countries’ ability to respond to these emergencies and address pre-existing crises and vulnerabilities. This report explores how government measures taken to contain the spread of COVID-19 can hinder the response to the desert locust outbreak in East Africa.
The analysis also examines the secondary impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic along with those of the desert locust outbreak. The focus is mainly on the three countries most affected by locust infestations to date: Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia (UN 9/04/2020)
