2004 Locust Invasion and Food Crisis
(Donation Form)

Many of you may be aware of the crisis facing Mauritania. After several years of drought, abundant rains have returned to this country. At first a blessing to farmers, these rains have created the perfect breeding environment for locusts. The locusts have swarmed much of the northern third of Africa. However, the most severe swarms have traveled the region from Morocco to Senegal, along the western coast. Mauritania has been the most severely affected country with swarms staying longer there than in any other country (FAO website, November 4, 2004). This year’s swarms dwarf any infestation in the past fifteen years.

This photo taken near Aleg, Mauritania,
gives an idea of a locust swarm’s density.

An average locust swarm can eat as much food in one day as 2,500 people. In the southern regions of Mauritania, farmers have seen their entire harvest wiped out in a matter of hours. At night, the sound of locusts chewing on tree leaves resembles the constant crackling of radio static. Trees are left bare, and approximately half of this year’s crop harvest has been destroyed. Locals have cited elders as saying this is the worst they have ever seen, and many fear that the upcoming gardening season will be threatened as well.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization warned of this year’s swarms more than a year ago, but international donors wanted hard evidence of a crisis (www.npr.org, November 16, 2004). The swarms grew, as did the cost of control. In October of 2003, the U.N. food agency said that $9 million would be enough to prevent a massive invasion, but no one provided funding. Now the expected cost is nearly $100 million.

A plea for help has been sent from Peace Corps Mauritania’s Assistant Director for Agroforestry, Mohamadou Aw, and his colleagues. They are seeking funding for two projects that will help alleviate the crisis at the village level.

First, they wish to train Peace Corps Volunteers and representatives of thirty villages, on the proper handling and application of the insecticide, Malathion. Malathion is commonly used in Mauritania. However, most farmers do not know the proper use of this chemical nor its associated risks.

The proposed training program will fully instruct the village representatives and Peace Corps volunteers on the use of Malathion and its risks. This product will help protect crops that are a vital source of nutrition and income. Each site will also be supplied with two sets of protective equipment.

Second, Aw seeks funding to establish feeding centers in the hardest hit villages in which Peace Corps volunteers live. The feeding centers will provide one nutritious meal each day for children and pregnant women. Children and women tend to suffer the most from food shortages.

Additionally, the feeding centers will instruct women on proper nutrition and incorporating Moringa leaves into their recipes. This tree is already cultivated in Mauritania; its leaves contain vitamins B and C, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and protein. The leaves can be dried and the powder added as a supplement to traditional meals.

A group of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers are banding together in the hope of helping our friends. The Mauritanian people enriched our lives, immeasurably. The very least we can do is to help the people of this country in a time of dire need. We are reaching out to you for help. Many of you have heard our stories and seen our pictures. You are aware of how barren and difficult this land is. You are aware of the swollen malnourished bellies of most children. As former volunteers, we turn to you for assistance and ask that you consider donating to this project. We are aiming to raise $5,000 immediately. However, the total estimated cost of these two projects is well above $20,000. Any level of assistance will be appreciated.

The point person for this project is Racey Bingham. Racey volunteered in Mauritania for three years (2000-2003) and managed a similar fundraising project last year. All checks should be made payable to her, and please include the following donation form. Racey and Mohamadou Aw will acknowledge all of your gifts upon receipt and keep you updated on the projects’ progress. For more information, please contact one of the fundraising coordinators: Racey Bingham or Doug Walsh.

Aw lists several details explaining the project and the reasoning behind it in this Project Plan. We thank you for your time and assistance.

Sincerely,

Racey Bingham & Doug Walsh

More links

Mauritania: Government Calls for Tonnes of Food Aid After Locust Invasion (You'll need a subcription to allafrica.com to view this article.)

"If locusts get my field, it is a real catastrophe"--August 5, 2004

Locusts invade Mauritania capital - BBC--October 2, 2004