The desert locusts, which have already destroyed crops in Horn of Africa countries, have arrived in South Sudan, the government and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations said Tuesday.

According to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Onyoti Adigo, the locusts entered the country from Uganda through the southern region of Eastern Equatoria State. And the ministry is seeking 2.5 billion South Sudanese pounds (about 20 million U.S. dollars) for chemicals, sprays and personnel to respond to the locust invasion.

The entry of the desert locusts has raised concerns about the fragile food security situation in South Sudan where it's estimated that half of the population is facing severe food insecurity and in need of humanitarian assistance.

The infestation has also reached Sudan, Eritrea, Tanzania and most recently Uganda. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization said the situation in Eastern Africa countries "remains extremely alarming". 

South Sudan is even less prepared than other countries to handle this outbreak. A five-year civil war shattered the country's economy, while insecurity following a 2018 peace deal threatens humanitarian aid distribution. Five million people are severely food insecure, with the UN humanitarian office saying about 860,000 children are malnourished. 

Locusts travel across the region in swarms the size of major cities with experts saying the only effective control is aerial spraying of pesticides. However, the UN and local authorities said they need more pesticides and aircraft. The UN has said 76 million U.S. dollars is needed immediately to fight the crisis. 

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the U.S. would donate another eight million U.S. dollars to the effort on top of its earlier 800,000 U.S. dollar donation.

(With input from Xinhua. Video provided by CGTN America)

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)