- Locust breeding and swarms have been reported near Konso and the Rift Valley in southern Ethiopia, despite the increased rainfall over the last week across the country, Food Emergency Warning System alerted.
The timing and scale of locust migration is not entirely clear, but the rainfall is expected to encourage the hatching of eggs, hopper band formation and aneastward migration into the Ogaden region of Ethiopia, the Food Agricultural Organisation said. The current locust infestation has the potential to threaten local pastoralists’ access to pastures particularly for areas southeast of KibreMengi in the Oromia province.
Heavy precipitation amounts exceeding 75 mm, expected to significantly improve degraded pastures and soil conditions resulting from the long-term drought throughout much of Kenya, fell across the Gariss, Ijiara and Wajir provinces of northern Kenya.
Also in Tanzania, heavy precipitation totals [100 mm] fell near Dar es Salam, providing sufficient soil moisture for the emergence of maize near the Tanga district.
Precipitation forecasts predict a continued improvement in the next seven days for much of Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti and into Somalia. But significant drought relief may be anticipated for many local areas in central and coastal Somalia.
Widespread and isolated precipitation totals exceeding 30 mm are expected to also improve the long-term drought conditions in central and northeast Kenya.
Parts of Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi are expected to be hit by dryness that affects crop yields.
In the last week, there was some rainfall accumulation in southern Mozambique, but monthly and seasonal rainfall deficits are becoming more significant. As a result, there is concern over maize, millet and sorghum yields for areas of the capital Maputo.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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