Emergency Response to African Migratory Locust (AML) Outbreak in Angola - TCP/ANG/3804

Abstract

Since May 2020 Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe have been faced by a severe outbreak of the African migratory locust (AML Locusta migratoria migratorioides a transboundary pest capable of flying long distances and severely affecting crops and pastures, as well as food security, nutrition and livelihoods In Angola, agricultural crops and pastures in the municipalities of Dirico Rivungo Calai Mavinga Cuangar Menongue Ondjiva Namacunde and Ombadja have been damaged by AML, with more than 2 650 ha being affected The pest has also been reported in Benguela and Namibe provinces As a countermeasure, MINAGRIP, with FAO support, created locust monitoring and control brigades in the affected municipalities to contain the outbreaks A preparedness and response plan to control and monitor the locust outbreak was prepared, prioritizing the following areas of work a) the establishment of, and provision of training to, a monitoring working group for locust surveillance b) the analysis and establishment of the locust control mechanism and the implementation of a procurement plan c) the definition of a risk management plan d) the implementation of a capacity building plan with the communities affected and the operational preparation of a brigade for locust control and monitoring and e) the implementation of a communications plan.