M2bn needed to fight food insecurity, poverty

RETHABILE MOHONO

MASERU – Lesotho is facing a mounting humanitarian crisis as the country urgently requires over M2 billion to tackle critical issues such as food insecurity, poverty, and developmental challenges. This staggering figure was revealed in the 2024 El Niño-Induced Food Insecurity Response Plan and Appeal Statement, recently published by the Disaster Management Authority (DMA).

The report highlights Lesotho’s vulnerability to natural disasters, with climate change intensifying its susceptibility.  As part of the Southern African region, Lesotho frequently experiences extreme weather events, including droughts, heavy rains, and strong winds.

These phenomena not only wreak havoc on the country’s agricultural output but also threaten the livelihoods of its people. According to the report, ongoing climate change is likely to cause further reductions in surface water, increase drought frequency, and exacerbate already high temperatures.

“These hazards render the people and their livelihoods most vulnerable. A number of factors, including soaring food and non-food prices, unemployment rate amongst the youth, high prevalence of HIV, reduction in agricultural production, high levels of poverty, compounds Lesotho’s vulnerability to hazard,” the report said.

Lesotho’s current food crisis is primarily driven by a series of devastating dry spells linked to the 2023/24 El Niño phenomenon. The agricultural sector, which serves as the backbone of the country’s food supply, has been crippled by these dry conditions. Crops have withered, livestock diseases have spread, and food production has plummeted.

In fact, the area planted for crops fell by 32 percent compared to the previous season, yielding the lowest harvest since 2018. To make matters worse, socio-economic shocks such as job losses, reduced labour opportunities, and skyrocketing inflation have further eroded household income and weakened the purchasing power of ordinary citizens.  National maize production, a staple in the country, dropped by a shocking 52 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year. With inflation pushing the cost of living higher, the average household of four now faces a Minimum Expenditure Basket of M3,387.89 — a sharp increase from M2,600 in 2023.

The future outlook is grim. Projections estimate that from May to September 2024, 293,000 people in rural areas will be in “crisis phase” or worse, with this number expected to swell to 403,000 by early 2025. Meanwhile, urban food insecurity remains a significant issue, with nearly 296,000 people unable to meet basic nutritional needs. Overall, more than 700,000 individuals — about a third of the country’s population — are expected to face severe food shortages in the coming year.

To combat this crisis, the DMA urgently calls for immediate humanitarian assistance. Recommendations include providing direct aid to vulnerable households, supporting local farmers with subsidies and agricultural inputs, and implementing long-term strategies to bolster resilience, such as improved rangeland management and water source protection.

The road ahead is challenging, but through coordinated efforts, Lesotho can begin to weather the storm and safeguard its future.