Mogadishu: Somalia on Sunday declared a locust infestation sweeping the Horn of Africa a national emergency, as insects devastate food supplies in one of the poorest and vulnerable regions in the world.

u201c The Ministry of Agriculture... has declared a national emergency in view of the current desert locust upsurge, that poses a major threat to Somaliau2019s fragile food security situation,u201d the ministry statement read.