Locust invasions compound Arab region’s coronavirus woes

Locust invasions compound Arab region’s coronavirus woes

Locust invasions compound Arab region's coronavirus woes

Locust invasions compound Arab region's coronavirus woes

Locust invasions compound Arab region's coronavirus woes

A man tries to catch locusts while standing on a rooftop as they swarm over the Yemeni capital Sanaa on July 28, 2019. (AFP/File Photo)

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Locust invasions compound Arab region's coronavirus woes

Swarms of locusts have invaded 23 countries across East Africa, Middle East and South Asia this year

The worst infestation of desert locusts in decades threatens livelihoods and food supplies of millions

Updated 18 July 2020

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DUBAI: Battling an unprecedented pandemic that has infected more than 12 million people globally, countries in the Middle East and South Asia find themselves saddled with more bad luck.

Swarms of locusts have invaded 23 countries across East Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries, with India becoming the latest victim.

According to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the swarms of desert locusts represent the worst infestation for 25 years in Ethiopia and Somalia, 26 years in India and 70 years in Kenya.

The World Bank believes this single outbreak of locusts could cover 20 percent of the Earth's landmass if it reaches plague levels.

It is easy to underestimate the seriousness of