UN pledges $2 million to fight food insecurity in Lesotho

Lehlohonolo Motšoari

As Lesotho confronts a severe drought and escalating food insecurity, the United Nations (UN) has pledged $2 million in emergency aid.

The funds, drawn from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), were announced by Reena Ghelani, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Climate Crisis Coordinator for El Niño and La Niña, during a four-day mission into the country.

This aid comes at a critical time, with nearly a third of Lesotho’s population—about 700,000 people—facing hunger in the coming months.

Ghelani, accompanied by Andrea Noyes, Head of the Regional Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and UN Resident Coordinator Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, met with government officials, civil society leaders, and affected communities to assess the severity of the drought’s impact.

The drought, worsened by El Niño, has resulted in the lowest crop yields since the 2018/19 agricultural season. Rural areas are particularly hard-hit, with over 400,000 people expected to face crisis-level hunger until March 2025. Urban regions are also struggling, with approximately 296,000 people expected to fall into food insecurity.

“We spoke to farmers and mothers in Qacha’s Nek and Mafeteng who are struggling to feed their families. This $2 million allocation will help provide essential food and services, but we must also work towards building long-term resilience to prevent future crises,” said Ghelani.

The UN’s emergency funds will address immediate needs, such as food shortages and water scarcity, but Ghelani emphasised the importance of focusing on long-term strategies to strengthen Lesotho’s resilience against future climate shocks.

At a press conference, Noyes underscored the importance of humanitarian coordination, stating, “The UN is working closely with the Government of Lesotho to strengthen its response. This emergency allocation is timely, but the country needs additional support to close the funding gap in its National El Niño Response Plan, which requires $212.9 million.”

The UN’s involvement follows the government’s declaration of a national food emergency on July 12, 2024. However, Lesotho still faces a significant funding shortfall of $112.8 million to fully implement its response plan.

Noyes further noted: “The situation is dire. We met farmers who reported widespread crop failures, and distressed mothers who shared that they don’t have enough food for their children. This funding will be critical in helping families access sufficient food and essential services. The time for action is now. OCHA is supporting the UN and partners in Lesotho to strengthen humanitarian coordination and scale up the response to complement government efforts.”

UN Resident Coordinator Amanda Khozi Mukwashi praised the government’s proactive response to the crisis, highlighting that over half of the required funding has already been secured.

“We stand with the people of Lesotho in this time of need. The UN is committed to working closely with the government and all partners to ensure a coordinated and effective response.” Mukwashi said.

Mukwashi also commended Lesotho for taking the lead in addressing the crisis.

“It’s encouraging to see that Lesotho isn’t waiting for international aid but is taking charge in tackling this emergency,” she added.

The UN continues to rally international donors to help close the funding gap and support the government’s comprehensive response plan, which includes immediate lifesaving assistance, medium-term resilience projects, and long-term sustainable development.