Upbeat Lesotho nutritional status defies drought

LINEO MABEKEBEKE

MASERU – In the face of a severe El Niño-induced drought, Lesotho’s nutritional status remains surprisingly resilient. According to the latest Lesotho Vulnerability Assessment report, despite the ongoing crisis, the country’s overall nutrition indicators have defied expectations, showing a remarkable ability to stave off the worst impacts of malnutrition. The report, which serves as a critical tool for understanding the vulnerability of livelihoods to food and nutrition insecurity, reveals that only three districts—Berea, Mohale’s Hoek, and Quthing—have recorded stunting rates above the World Health Organisation (WHO) threshold of 20 percent.

However, the rest of the country remains below this critical threshold. In a year when food insecurity is expected to skyrocket due to prolonged drought conditions, the report paints a cautiously optimistic picture. Indicators of short-term acute malnutrition, such as wasting and underweight, remain below WHO thresholds across the nation. “It would be expected that the impact of the El Niño crisis would show increased wasting and underweight, but the data shows the situation has not deteriorated,” the report highlights.

Nationally, the overall prevalence of underweight children is below 10 percent, and wasting is under five percent. These figures are impressive, considering the grim outlook painted by climate and economic conditions. Over the past five years, Lesotho has ramped up its efforts to implement comprehensive nutrition programmes across the country, which have played a crucial role in maintaining these positive trends.

These programmes include a range of interventions aimed at both health facilities and communities, focusing on improving nutrition through education, food diversification, and social support. Micro-Nutrient Powder (MNP) supplementation and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) education have been cornerstones of these efforts, ensuring that even in the most vulnerable communities, children receive the nutrition they need to thrive. Community nutrition clubs have sprung up across the country, promoting homestead food production, savings and lending schemes, and labour-saving devices that ease the burden on families.

Meanwhile, social behaviour change programmes, such as the Positive Deviance (PD) approach, have helped communities adopt healthier eating practices, while campaigns promoting male engagement in nutrition have broadened the impact of these initiatives.

The report also notes that these interventions have led to a decrease in admissions for severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and moderate acute malnutrition (MAM), a testament to their effectiveness. Integrated service delivery programmes, including Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives and child protection services, have further maximised the efficiency of resources, ensuring that nutrition programmes reach those in need.

These efforts have been significantly bolstered by the leadership of King Letsie III, who, as the African Union (AU) Nutrition Champion, has driven the call to action for improved nutritional status across AU member states. Moreover, the implementation of the Lesotho Food and Nutrition Strategy has fostered better coordination mechanisms at the district level, effectively cascading down to community services.

This approach has ensured that even in the most remote areas, people have access to the resources and support they need to maintain their health.

However, despite these positive developments, the challenges remain daunting. According to the World Food Programme’s (WFP) 2023 annual country report, Lesotho remains one of the most unequal countries globally. Nearly half of the population (49.7 percent) lives below the poverty line, with poverty disproportionately affecting rural areas. Over 80 percent of the country’s poor live in these rural regions, where access to resources is often limited.

Children, in particular, are at significant risk, with 65 percent of them classified as multi-dimensionally poor. The situation is further exacerbated by the fact that over a quarter of these children are orphans, making them even more vulnerable to the impacts of poverty and malnutrition. The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis highlights the gravity of the situation. Between July and September 2023, approximately 245,000 people in rural Lesotho were experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity.

Out of the 10 districts analysed, five were classified as IPC Phase 2 (Stressed), while the remaining five were in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis). These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for action to reduce food gaps, protect and restore livelihoods, and prevent acute malnutrition from spiralling out of control.

In response, the World Vision Lesotho has launched a multifaceted strategy that addresses both immediate needs and long-term resilience. Their approach acknowledges that this is not merely a food crisis but a complex emergency requiring a holistic and sustained response.