Lesotho Government Commends World Food Programme's Assistance During Food Insecurity Periods

Strategic Insights -

Lesotho's Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Dr Retsilisitsoe Matlanyane, has expressed appreciation for the World Food Programme's (WFP) assistance in addressing the country's food and nutrition needs during periods of food insecurity, climatic, and economic shocks. The WFP's Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2024-2029 aims to strengthen Lesotho's humanitarian response capacity, disaster risk management, and early warning systems. The programme also focuses on increasing accountability and access to data through the development of a geospatial platform. Dr Matlanyane noted that the WFP has been instrumental in the success of the primary school feeding programme and has also established a taskforce to mobilise resources for the second-generation CSP.

Key Takeaways:

  • The WFP has assisted the government of Lesotho in addressing food and nutrition needs during periods of food insecurity, climatic, and economic shocks, with a total budget of USD$95 million (over M1.6 billion) for the CSP.
  • The WFP has strengthened Lesotho's humanitarian response capacity, disaster risk management, and early warning systems, and has established a taskforce to mobilise resources for the second-generation CSP.
  • The WFP has implemented the home-grown school feeding programme, which integrates WASH, child protection, and health interventions.
  • The program has assisted over 40% of the population in rural areas of the most hard-hit districts.
  • The WFP has collaborated with UNICEF, the Ministry of Education and Training, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition to implement the programme.
  • The government has declared a national food insecurity disaster due to El Nino-induced drought, effective in 2024.
  • The WFP has a current shortfall of USD$78 million; the government has called for concerted support from other development partners and the private sector to assist in filling the gap.

Statistics:

  • The WFP's CSP 2024-2029 has a total budget of USD$95 million (over M1.6 billion).
  • The WFP has assisted over 40% of the population in rural areas of the most hard-hit districts.
  • The current shortfall is USD$78 million.
  • The programme aims to support vulnerable groups at risk, including those affected by the El Nino-induced drought.

Sources:

  • World Food Programme - "WFP Country Strategic Plan (2024-2029)"
  • Government of Lesotho - "Statement by Minister of Finance and Development Planning Dr Retsilisitsoe Matlanyane"