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Worst Locust Swarms in Decades

Hundreds of millions of desert locusts are swarming in Ethiopia some of the biggest numbers seen in more than 25 years. Recent floods in the area toward the end of the year has contributed to the massive
outbreak, driving an explosion of locusts that are destroying crops and threatening food security across the region.

Huge swarms of locusts rip through 500,000 acres of crops in Ethiopia leaving a million facing food crisis as Africa braces for another destructive plague. The destruction has also left a great shortage of feed for the goats which supply much needed milk for under nourished children.

As the worst plague in 70 years, the locusts are stripping bark from the trees, so there is no vegetation left. In Ethiopia, the locusts have caused widespread losses of sorghum, wheat and maize, also known as corn, and vastly reduced the amount of available land for cattle grazing.

Desert locusts cover branches in Katitika village, Kitui county, Kenya Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. Desert locusts have swarmed into Kenya by the hundreds of millions from Somalia and Ethiopia, countries that haven’t seen such numbers in a quarter-century, destroying farmland and threatening an already vulnerable region. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

We are appealing for donations to help the AFAR Pastoralist Development Association, through our Club Member Valerie Browning, so she can buy feed for the goats to enable a family to keep their children nourished.

Donations can be made directly to the eClubs account;
Bendigo Bank:     Rotary E-Club D9510online, Australia
BSB: 633-000
Account No: 156 707 358
(please mark reference – AFAR + your Club Name)
………………
or direct with Visa Card, to this link SUPPORT AFAR

Thankyou for your support,