ETHIOPIANS living in Scotland have welcomed government and charity support as their country endures the trauma of locust plagues, famine, drought and now war.

Christian Aid Scotland, which has been working in Ethiopia for 30 years, has received Scottish Government funds to tackle swarms of locusts in Southern Ethiopia that are devastating crops.

The insect, when it forms in large swarms, can devour the same amount of food in a day that would feed 35,000 people.

With drought predicted for 2021, the desert locust, which is also affecting countries such as Eritrea, Sudan and Somalia, is expected to cause further destruction.

Climate change is making Ethiopia’s weather warmer and more unpredictable, causing water shortages but creating near perfect conditions for the pests.

Sally Foster-Fulton is head of Christian Aid Scotland, “It’s an increasingly complex picture in Ethiopia.

“It’s hard to imagine just how destructive the locusts can be, but they really can devour vast amounts of crops in just a short space of time, increasing food instability in an already fragile country.

“Thanks to Scottish Government funding our locust prevention work has paid dividends and coupled with ample rain the new crops are flourishing.

“But, according to UN agencies, the start of the new year could be very dry – conditions which are favourable for the locusts.

“It’s also possible the locusts could blow in on winds from neighbouring countries where they haven’t got the capacity or resources to deal with them.

“We’re also watching the unfolding humanitarian situation in northern Ethiopia with growing concern.

“Our ACT Alliance partners are responding to support communities directly affected within Tigray and refugees fleeing over the border into Sudan.”

Supported with funding from the Scottish Government’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund, Christian Aid has been working in the Konso and South Omo areas to tackle the swarms, and the results have been positive.

In a two-pronged approach, the infestation has been controlled through the mass spraying of insecticides and then emergency seed distribution to communities who lost crops.

Training has also taken place so that communities can spot any signs of the locusts returning. And thanks to autumn rains, the new crops are growing well.

But climate change means the weather in Ethiopia is warmer and increasingly unpredictable and helps locusts thrive.

UN agencies are anticipating a period of prolonged drought at the start of 2021 – which could cause food shortages and impact livelihoods.

There are reports that efforts to control the locusts have stopped due to the conflict.

Dr Alex Gebreyes, chairman of the Ethio-Scottish Community and a consultant haematologist, came to Glasgow from Ethiopia around 15 years ago.

He said: “In Ethiopia, the last thing we need at this time is a war.

“The government has been trying to control the locust plague but it’s like fire fighting – you deal with one part, turn around and more have sprung up.

“Five or six countries in the region are affected and they all need to do their bit because this is more than one country can cope with.”

Dr Gebreyes is part of the recently founded organisation United Ethiopians for Peace and Reconciliation, which supports an end to tensions in the country.

He said: “It is going to be difficult for this country to cope and if this continues, the whole country will be starving.

“The UK as a whole and Scotland particularly have always had a strong relationship with Ethiopia.

“When I was at university my professors had been trained in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

“So this help from the Scottish Government is highly beneficial and appreciated by the country.”

Thanks to the Scottish Government and Christian Aid farmers have been able to reclaim 2,500 hectares of crop and range land from locust infestation.

Donations to the charity’s Christmas Appeal could be life-changing. See: www.christianaid.org.uk/scotlandchristmas

Dr Gebreyes said there are fears Ethiopia, which takes in refugees from neighbouring countries, will collapse - an event that would have wide ranging effects felt across the region.

He said: “That cannot be allowed to happen, it would be the end of a country with thousands of years of history.

“Ethiopians are very resilient. We are brought up in a very hard way so people have still got hope, people have still not given up.

“I still have friends who are working in the country, in universities as professors, and what I sense from them now is hope.

“And that is how I feel at the moment, a little bit brighter and with a little bit of hope.”

Christian Aid has distributed more than 41 tonnes of maize seed to 3,416 families like Borgodo Tsobe’s, who are at risk of food shortages.

Borgodo is a widow and mother-of-five who has lost crops due to the worst desert locust swarm the country has experienced in more than 25 years.

She said: “I had never seen anything like this in my life before.

“The locusts suddenly came out of nowhere and ate every green plant in their path. They left us nothing useful.

“I was in a desperate situation. Now I have been provided with improved maize seeds and training on crop production and locust management.

“I would like to provide my heartfelt gratitude to Scottish Government and Christian Aid.”

Sally added: “Our Christmas Appeal this year, which is sharing stories from our global neighbours in Ethiopia, feels more important than ever: conflict, climate change, locusts and coronavirus are a deadly combination for one of the poorest countries in Africa.”