Real-time evaluation of FAO's response to the desert locust upsurge 2020–2021 Brief

Over the course of 2020, the most devastating desert locust upsurge of the past 25 years spread across parts of the Middle East, the Greater Horn of Africa, and South West Asia. The upsurge posed an unprecedented risk to livelihoods and food security in some of the most food insecure countries in the world. FAO and its partners mobilised more than USD 163 million since January 2020.

The response included 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.