New swarms of desert locusts threaten the livelihoods and food security of millions of people in the Horn of African region, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

FAO reported on Wednesday that locust infestations increased over the past month in Ethiopia and Somalia as a result of extensive breeding, favourable weather and rainfall, with populations predicted to increase further in the coming months.

"New locust swarms are already forming and threatening to re-invade northern Kenya and breeding is also underway on both sides of the Red Sea, posing a new threat to Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, the Sudan, and Yemen," FAO said in a news release.

Earlier this year, the greater Horn of African region witnessed one of the worst ever desert locust infestations.

FAO warned that the new swarms could have devastating consequences for communities affected by recurrent drought, conflict, high food prices, and the COVID-19pandemic.

The UN agency said it requires a further $40 million in 2021 to increase surveillance and control activities in the worst affected countries – Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, the Sudan, and Yemen.