CM/Res. 650 (XXXI)
RESOLUTION ON COMBATTING THE OUTBREAK OF DESET LOCUSTS IN EAST-AFRICAN STATES
The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, meeting in its Thirty-First Ordinary Session in Khartoum, Democratic Republic of the Sudan, from 7 to 18 July 1978,
Having heard statements from the countries of the African sub-region on the occurrence of large swarms of locusts,
Considering the grave damage that may be inflicted on the economies of these countries,
Further considering the responsibilities of the OAU in combating drought and other natural disasters,
Noting with satisfaction the rapid and overall action that the OAU is undertaking by controlling that pest:
URGENTLY REQUESTS the Secretary-General to assist the OAU to contact the relevant Agencies for the particular FAO to contribute to the efforts aimed at destroying the locust breading areas in the Arabian Peninsula, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia and elsewhere in the region;
URGES the Secretary-General of the OAU in close co-operation with the FAO Director General to help mobilise international assistance;
REQUESTS the Administrative Secretary-General to implement these actions, and in any case not later than mid-August, 1978 after which the problem would become devastating and insurmountable;
FURTHER CALLS ON the countries in the region to fully cooperate with the Desert Locust Control Organizations for East-Africa and other similar Organizations in the region and to take the necessary action with a view to ensuring accessibility to breeding areas of the desert locusts in the Horn of Africa.