“He has not despised the suffering, and listens to their cry .”
[May.17.2023] A warning was issued to Afghanistan which is in extreme poverty that wheat yields could plummet due to a huge ‘Moroccan locust swarm’ this year. Voice of America (VOA) reported on the 14th (local time), citing Richard Trenchard, the head of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Afghanistan in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.
Trenchard predicted that this year, a massive Moroccan locust outbreak could sweep through eight northern wheat-producing provinces with disastrous consequences for Afghanistan where millions are already starving.
The Moroccan locust is said to be one of the most devastating plant pests on the planet. The FAO warns that Moroccan locusts will consume more than 150 plant species in Afghanistan, including forest trees, pastures, and food crops.
Trenchard explained that if the locust swarm occurred this year, more than 1 million tonnes of wheat could be lost, accounting for up to 25% of the annual Afghan wheat harvest and up to $500 million in economic damage.
“Currently in Afghanistan, local communities, FAO, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and authorities that can provide hands for physical control are working together to stop locust outbreaks, but these efforts are either too small or too late to stop the locust outbreaks,” he evaluated.
The prediction was made that this year’s wheat harvest will be the highest since the drought in the past three years, but “the locust swarms could wipe out this year’s increase in production, which in turn will dramatically worsen food insecurity in the second half of this year and next year.” he concerned.
He also pointed out that a powerful locust control system had been in operation in Afghanistan in the past, but the related system has been significantly damaged for two years since August 2021, when the Taliban regained power, and that could be one factor the outbreak of locust swarms couldn’t be prevented.
He predicted that if the outbreak of locusts in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries are not properly prevented and left unattended, the number of locusts could increase 100-fold next year.
The current humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has been exacerbated by discriminatory policies against women after the Taliban regained power, the UN reported. According to the World Food Program (WFP), 19.9 million of the total population of 42 million in Afghanistan are facing extreme hunger and 6 million are on the brink of famine (Source: Yonhap News Agency).
From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb, you have been my God. Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. (Psalms 22:10-11,24)
God, You are the only helper of Afghanistan, where swamps of locusts destroy the wheat field amid the crisis of extreme poverty and food shortages. We cry out to You as You are a merciful God who does not despise the suffering of the afflicted and does not hide Your face from them. May You protect the land from further damage and send helping hands. May the good news and the unshakable joy of salvation of You, who is a good heavenly Father, be spread to Afghan through Your churches and faithful witnesses of the gospel.
Prayer 24·365
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