This archive report was first published on 25 June 2020.
On June 24, 2020, the Japanese government made a significant contribution to the fight against locust invasion in South Sudan, donating $2.2 million to support relief efforts.
The funds, announced by Japan's Foreign Ministry, are intended to mitigate the damage caused by the desert locusts, which have been wreaking havoc on the region.
According to a statement released by the Foreign Ministry, the donation is part of Japan's efforts to address the food crisis in South Sudan, which is expected to be exacerbated by the locust invasion and recent floods.
The statement noted that the provision of relief assistance is expected to improve the nutritional condition of approximately 49,900 people in the affected areas.
South Sudan is not the only country to receive aid from Japan; the government has also pledged $1.7 million in grant aid to Sudan and $600,000 to Uganda to support their efforts in combating the locust invasion.
The locust invasion, which descended on South Sudan's Magwi County in February, has been a major concern for the region, with the country's Agriculture and Food Security minister, Onyoti Adigo, warning of the potential for a serious food crisis.
Responding to the crisis, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has deployed 1,000 back sprayers to counter the locust invasion, with the US also announcing a $8 million grant to support regional operations to control locusts in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia.
