The Desert Locust situation deteriorated further in the winter breeding areas along the Red Sea during January. Locust numbers increased substantially as eggs hatched and hoppers formed numerous groups and bands in southeast Egypt, Sudan, northeast Eritrea and in Saudi Arabia. Swarms were also reported in these countries.
Control operations were undertaken, including aerial operations in Sudan and Saudi Arabia.
There is a high risk that a second generation of breeding will occur in the coming months that will cause locust numbers to increase further. All efforts are required to control the infestations in order to reduce potential migration to the spring breeding areas in the interior of Saudi Arabia. In Northwest Africa, groups and at least one small swarm formed in the Western Sahara and moved into adjacent areas of northwest Mauritania, and control operations were undertaken. The situation remained calm in the Sahel of West Africa.