The supercomputer based in the regional climate facility in Kenya (ICPAC- the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre) uses satellite data to track dangerous locust swarms which in just one day can travel nearly 100 miles and consume an amount of crops that would otherwise feed 35,000 people.
This innovative technology – supported by UK Aid and the UK Met Office – also produces extensive weather forecasts to predict the high winds, rainfall and humidity situations that provide ideal breeding conditions for locusts so climate experts can predict their next destination.
“By improving early warning systems we are helping charities and African governments to take rapid action to protect vulnerable communities,” the UK agency said in a statement.
The UK is also disbursing £5 million for an emergency UN appeal to help vulnerable communities in Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea and Djibouti, and for Tanzania to use this data to prepare for the possible arrival of locusts. The fund covers the surveillance of the locusts and spraying of aerial pesticides to kill the insects, so as to protect at least 78,000 hectares of land.
The locust infestation – driven by longer rainy seasons and extreme weather – has already destroyed hundreds of thousands of hectares of vegetation in East Africa. This is decimating the livelihoods of farmers and worsening the humanitarian crisis in East Africa where close to 25 million people are on the brink of starvation.
International Development Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said the devastating locust outbreak in East Africa has paralysed communities that are already facing the daily threat of starvation.
“Through UK Aid and British expertise, we are helping to track, stop and kill dangerous swarms of locust to help millions of people fighting for survival.
“With rising temperatures and increasing cyclones driving these infestations, Britain is stepping up to help vulnerable communities prepare for and adapt to the catastrophic impacts of climate change.”
UK aid to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has already helped protect 73,000 hectares across East Africa, supplied about 290,000 litres of pesticides and trained 600 people to carry out surveillance to stop the locust spread.
On top of this, UK Aid is helping vulnerable communities cope better with extreme weather by improving access to clean water, and providing drought-resistant seeds, farming tools and nutrition packs to families.
The supercomputer is being provided through the Weather and Climate Information Services for Africa (WISER) programme of the Department for International Development (DFID) in collaboration with the Met Office and the Africa Climate Policy Centre in a £35 million programme that has run from 2015 and ends next year.
It is meant to help to build Africa’s resistance to climate change by implementing new policies and practices to plan for extreme changes in weather.
The programme also works to improve the quality of weather and climate information by bringing together experts and support its use on the continent.
It provides expertise to improve climate forecasting ability and strengthen Africa’s response to climate change.
UK Aid will support the UN FAO Regional Emergency Appeal for the locust outbreak in East Africa, as the FAO has initially asked donors worldwide for a total of £104million of funding, of which the UK will contribute £5million.
To fight this infestation, the UN Central Emergency Reserve Fund (CERF) has released £7.5 million to FAO as it has the skills and expertise in locust control needed to coordinate the response. The UK is the largest donor to CERF.
With UK Aid backed funding, the FAO is spraying pesticides on the ground and by air to prevent further damage to crops and protect livelihoods. The FAO is also working with governments in Africa to train experts to manage future outbreaks and to conduct research to better understand the swarm, the UK Aid statement specified.
