FAO CRC Hosts Regional Communication Workshop on Best Media Practices for Desert Locust Management
©FAO/Sara Sadek
The Food and Agriculture Organization’s Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Central Region (CRC) is holding a five-day regional communication training workshop titled Best Media Practices for Desert Locust Management in Cairo, Egypt, from October 13 to 17. The workshop highlights the pivotal role of effective communication in combating desert locust outbreaks, particularly in regions vulnerable to infestations like the Red Sea area and the Horn of Africa.
The event, inaugurated by Dr. Ahmed Rizk, Head of the Central Administration for Pest Control at Egypt's Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, and Dr. Mamoon AlSaraiAlalawi, Executive Secretary of Commission for Controlling Desert Locust in the Central Region (CRC) brought together participants from 17 member countries, representing key stakeholders in desert locust management and regional commission and organization.
“This workshop is a crucial step in enhancing regional collaboration and ensuring that countries are equipped with the right tools to communicate and respond effectively to locust threats. The media plays a vital role in raising awareness and engaging communities in the fight against these pests,” said Dr. Mamoon AlSaraiAlalawi, Executive Secretary of CRC.
The training event emphasized coordinated communication strategies, sharing of success stories from across the region, and the development of media plans to bolster public awareness, early detection, and rapid response efforts in the fight against locust outbreaks.
“The integration of communication and operational strategies is essential in managing locust crises. By training member state delegates we empower them to deliver accurate, timely, and impactful messages that can drive swift action and mitigate damage,” said Mohammed Elbatta, CRC Communication Consultant.
The workshop is part of the CRC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the region’s resilience against locust outbreaks through capacity-building initiatives. With a focus on media engagement, the training explored how local communities can be mobilized to support desert locust control.
As desert locust outbreaks remain a constant threat to agricultural production and food security, especially in the Red Sea and Horn of Africa regions, the CRC reaffirm their commitment to fostering cross-border collaboration and communication strategies. Participants discussed the implementation of regional media strategies, importance of crisis communication and issues management, in addition to strategic communication planning and fostering partnerships to safeguard the livelihoods of millions in Northeast Africa and the Middle East.
Central Region Commission (CRC), the Commission of Desert Locust Control in the Central Region was established in 1967 and is the largest of the three FAO regional bodies, with currently 17-member states including those which are located within red sea area, and horn of Africa, the most sensitive locust breeding areas at all.