Heightened preparedness as desert locust outbreak threatens Western region
Continued vigilance and coordination to mitigate the impact of locust outbreaks on agriculture and food security.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is supporting countries in North and West Africa to develop a coordinated regional response a potential new desert locust outbreak. The plan will guide timely interventions over the coming months—an effort that could prove decisive in preventing a full-scale crisis.
The 2025 summer season is expected to bring favourable ecological conditions in certain breeding areas, increasing the risk of locust swarms forming, thus necessitating expansion of preparedness in the countries to avert a potential escalation.
United to prevent a regional crisis
Eleven countries under the FAO Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Western Region (CLCPRO)—Algeria, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Libya, Mali, Morocco, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Chad, and Tunisia—convened to update their contingency plans, coordinate operational procedures, and mobilize essential financial, logistical, and human resources.
The regional plan of action includes strategic pre-positioning of pesticide stocks using a triangulation system, early deployment of ground survey and control teams, and activation of emergency response mechanisms, including the Regional Intervention Force (FIRO).These efforts aim to protect agricultural fields, grazing lands, and livelihoods from the potentially devastating impact of locust infestations. Khaled Moumène, FAO Locust expert emphasised “Every day gained in preparedness is a harvest saved on the ground”.
Rosanne Marchesich, FAO Global Programme Officer for the Emergency and Resilience Office, highlighted the urgent need for anticipatory funding and strengthened cross-regional synergies.
Leveraging innovative technology to fight desert locust
The regional response to desert locust threats in 2025 is characterised by strengthened cooperation, improved early warning systems, and the application of technological innovations. With access to advanced and innovative tools, countries now have greater capacity to detect, contain and—most importantly—prevent the spread of the old enemy, the desert locust.
During the meeting, member countries enhanced their technical capabilities, focusing on the use of digital tools such as eLocust3. Emphasis was placed on conducting control operations in line with the highest environmental and human health standards.
Through rapid, coordinated, and region-wide preparedness, Member States are shifting from reactive crisis management to proactive risk prevention.