(Ecofin Agency) - One million people need food assistance in Ethiopia due to the current desert locust invasion, according to a statement by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

FAO says the insects have destroyed 200,000 hectares of agricultural land and 356,000 tons of cereals. Sorghum and corn are in the frontline with 114,000 ha and 41,000 ha destroyed, respectively.

The regions of Oromia, Somali, and Tigray suffered the highest losses and FAO reports that about 1.3 million ha of pasture were also damaged, compromising livestock feed and the incomes of the agro-pastoralist population.

“As we strive to control the desert locust, it is critical to protect the livelihoods of affected populations, especially now that the situation is compounded by the COVID-19 crisis,” said FAO Representative in Ethiopia, Fatouma Seid.

Let’s note that the current locust invasion is the worst observed in Ethiopia in more than 25 years.