Nearly 500,000 Basotho face food insecurity

Unemployment soars and malnutrition cripples a generation of children

World Food Programme appealing for approximately M130 million

Nearly half a million people in Lesotho are projected to face acute food insecurity, prompting the World Food Programme (WFP) to appeal for US$8 million (about M130.6 million) to sustain its operations over the next six months.

In its July 2026 Country Brief, the WFP said 492,284 people are expected to experience high levels of acute food insecurity, classified as Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Phase 3 or above, while US$8 million is needed between July and December 2026 to respond to growing humanitarian needs.

The United Nations (UN) agency said the food security situation continues to deteriorate because of multiple economic and climate-related pressures.

“According to the Lesotho Vulnerability Assessment Committee presentation of 06 July 2026, food insecurity remains a challenge with 492,284 people projected to face high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above),” the report, originally published on July 31, stated.

It attributed the crisis to rising food prices, unemployment, currency volatility and declining household purchasing power.

“High food prices, limited employment opportunities, currency volatility, and declining household purchasing power continue to constrain access to food. Lesotho is also highly vulnerable to climate change, with erratic rainfall and extreme temperatures reducing agricultural production, depleting household food stocks, and threatening livestock livelihoods,” the report said.

The WFP also warned that malnutrition remains a serious concern in the country.

According to the report, 36 percent of children aged between two and five years are stunted, while deficiencies in iron and vitamin A affect 70 percent of children under five.

The report further noted that Lesotho is grappling with two national emergencies – youth unemployment, which remains in force until June 2027, and the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak, which is effective until March 2027. It says unemployment has risen to 30.1 percent, with young people accounting for 39 percent of all unemployed people.

“Unemployment remains critically high at 30.1 percent, up from 22.5 percent in 2024, with youth accounting for 39 percent of all unemployed people. At the same time, the FMD outbreak is having far-reaching impacts beyond the livestock sector, affecting livelihoods, food security, trade, economic growth, and broader national development,” the report read.

Despite the worsening outlook, the WFP said it continues to support the government through food security, nutrition, climate resilience and disaster preparedness programmes.

“WFP remains a key food security partner to the Government, strengthening national systems and providing technical assistance to improve the Government’s capacity to manage and implement national programmes,” the report stated.

The agency added that it is working with the Disaster Management Authority (DMA) and the Lesotho Meteorological Services (LMA) to strengthen preparedness ahead of the anticipated El Niño, with the aim of improving the country’s readiness for climate-related shocks.

Staff Reporter

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