Paul Opio (FAO, Livestock Officer) presented on preparedness and response for “Rift Valley Fever” (RVF), a zoonotic viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes that affects animals and humans alike.

FAO developed a web-based decision-support-tool (DST) that provides science-based recommended response actions to RVF. The tool was built in close collaboration with regional and global organisations (including NASA, WMO, IGAD and ICPAD) and has led to the development of detailed risk maps and response actions, especially over the last three years.

Francesca Sangiorgi (ACTED) presented on behalf of the Regional Desert Locust Alliance (RDLA). 

The RDLA was created in early 2020 to collaborate during the desert locust response. While the initiative’s initial focus was on community awareness activities, they are shifting. Food security and livelihood activities are coming to the fore, with the RDLA having assisted over 2 million beneficiaries in October 2020. Given the detrimental effect of the desert locust on the livelihoods and resilience of the concerned communities, early action is of utmost importance.