Real-time evaluation of FAO’s response to desert locust upsurge 2020-2021 | Phase 1

Over the course of 2020, the most devastating Desert Locust upsurge of the past 25 years has spread across parts of the Middle East, the greater Horn of Africa, and southwest Asia. The upsurge poses an unprecedented risk to livelihoods and food security in some of the most food insecure countries in the world. FAO and its partners have mobilized more than USD 163 million since January 2020. The response includes three key pillars: (1) curbing the spread of desert locusts (including surveillance) (2) safeguarding livelihoods and promoting recovery and (3) coordination and preparedness of the rapid surge support. In this context, the FAO Office of Evaluation (OED) has been requested by the Director-General to conduct a real time evaluation (RTE), conducted across three phases spread over one year. Each phase will cover specific aspects of the response. Phase 1 focuses on leadership, management and coordination of the response and was conducted from June to October 2020. The findings, conclusions and recommendations of this phase 1 have been presented to a wide range of stakeholders and are developed in the Phase 1 report. Phase 2 focuses on results as well as management and operations at country level. Phase 3 will complete the RTE process drawing lessons for future operations and FAO’s work on desert locust in the region.