Even in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, Sudan continues its battle against swarms of desert locusts which are ravaging crops and threatening food security.

To support the country in this fight, the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) contributed ten 4x4 off-road vehicles to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources during a virtual handover ceremony held on Wednesday.

"While these vehicles would help to curtail the destructive effects of the locusts, and enhance food security, they would also be of use to advance Government's endeavor to combat the dreadful COVID-19 disease", said Jeremiah Mamabolo, the Joint Special Representative at UNAMID, speaking from Sudanese capital Khartoum.

The event marked the first-ever virtual press conference in the history of United Nations and African Union peace operations in Sudan, according to the mission.

In a sign of the times, UNAMID drivers – wearing protective masks and gloves handed over the keys of the vehicles to transport officials at the Ministry's parking lot.

Source: W.H.O