With the rainy season fast approaching, countries in the Horn of Africa are in a race against time to tackle a desert locust invasion amidst ongoing humanitarian challenges, the United Nations warned on Monday.

The infestation in Kenya is the worst in 70 years, while Somalia and Ethiopia are experiencing their worst outbreaks in 25 years, putting crop production, food security and millions of lives at risk.

Swarms crossed into Uganda overnight, and Tanzania and South Sudan are now "on the watch list", the UN’s top humanitarian official reported.

"In this region where there is so much suffering and so much vulnerability and fragility, we simply cannot afford another major shock. And that’s why we need to act quickly", Mark Lowcock told ambassadors, during a briefing at UN Headquarters. 

"We do have a chance to nip this problem in the bud, but that’s not what we’re doing at the moment. We’re running out of time." 

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently launched a $76 million appeal to control the locusts' spread.

So far, only around $20 million has been received; roughly, half of which came from a UN emergency fund.

"Without rapid action, we will be facing a rapidly expanding humanitarian crisis. The Desert Locust swarms are growing exponentially", FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu warned in a video message.  

Mr. Lowcock, the UN humanitarian chief, also underscored the urgent need for action, particularly as the rainy season begins in March.

"I’m calling on the countries concerned, the international community, the donors, to step up and to step up now," he said.  "There is a risk of a catastrophe. Perhaps we can prevent it; we have an obligation to try. Unless we act now, we’re unlikely to do so." (ILKHA)