ReliefWeb

General Situation during April 2017
Forecast until mid-June 2017

The Desert Locust situation was calm during April due to poor rainfall and ecological conditions throughout most of the spring breeding areas in northwest Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Low numbers of solitarious adults were present in Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Egypt and Iran. The situation continued to remain unclear in Yemen where surveys could not be conducted. During the forecast period, small-scale breeding could occur in parts of the interior in Saudi Arabia and Yemen, and in a few places in northeast Morocco, central Algeria and southeast Iran. Although this may cause locust numbers to increase slightly, they will remain below threatening levels and no signifi cant developments are likely.

Western Region. The situation remained calm in the region during April. Low numbers of adults were present in parts of northern Mauritania, Western Sahara and northeast Morocco, and in central Algeria. Limited breeding occurred near irrigated farms in the central Sahara of Algeria where small-scale ground control operations were undertaken. A lack of rainfall and poor ecological conditions will severely reduce spring breeding this year. Consequently, no signifi cant developments are likely. In Mauritania, low numbers of adults will gradually move south towards summer breeding areas in the southeast.

Central Region. The locust situation remained calm as no locusts were reported in the region during April except for isolated adults in southeast Egypt. Nevertheless, ecological conditions were favourable in parts of the interior of Saudi Arabia and Yemen where small-scale breeding could occur during the forecast period and cause locust numbers to increase slightly. Both countries should stay alert because the situation continues to remain unclear in Yemen as surveys cannot be carried out. Elsewhere, no significant developments are likely.

Eastern Region. Scattered adults were present in southeast Iran where small-scale breeding is likely to occur during the forecast period. No locusts were present in adjacent areas of southwest Pakistan where conditions remained dry and unfavourable for breeding. No significant developments are likely.