Lesotho sees decline in food insecurity

However, massive challenges remain according to report

RETHABILE MOHONO

MASERU – The number of Basotho facing severe food insecurity has decreased by 68 000 people, from 403 000 in May 2024 to a projected 335 000 between January and March 2025, according to the latest IPC Acute Food Insecurity Analysis.

The report, published this week, attributes the improvement to ongoing humanitarian assistance, including cash and food transfers from the government, humanitarian organisations, and United Nations (UN) agencies.

These interventions have played a crucial role in reducing food gaps. Despite this progress, around 335 000 people – representing 22 percent of Lesotho’s rural population – are still expected to be in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) during the lean season from October 2024 to March 2025. All ten districts remain classified under this phase, highlighting persistent food insecurity concerns.

The report further warns of several hazards that could exacerbate food insecurity. Heavy rainfall, with forecasts predicting normal to above-normal precipitation, combined with high temperatures, could negatively impact agricultural output.

Additionally, declining income sources, such as lower livestock sales due to market competition and restrictions on livestock movement to South Africa, further strain vulnerable households.

“Rising food, fuel, and electricity prices continue to erode purchasing power, making it harder for many families to afford basic necessities. Although food markets remain stable and functional, high costs are limiting accessibility for many Basotho,” the report states.

Apart from that the report underscores the significant impact of humanitarian assistance. In Berea, 29 percent of the population received support, covering 67 percent of their caloric needs.

“In Botha-Bothe and Leribe, assistance covered 72 percent and 65 percent of caloric needs, respectively, while in Qacha’s Nek, 27 percent of the population received aid, meeting 83 percent of their energy requirements.”

However, it stated that the food access remains a major concern, particularly for the most vulnerable districts. The report calls for continued and expanded humanitarian aid to mitigate ongoing food insecurity.

The report recommends scaling up anticipatory actions to address expected hazards and expanding both conditional and unconditional humanitarian assistance. It also urges the full implementation of the National Strategic Resilience Framework to help households diversify their livelihoods and withstand future shocks.

Other key recommendations include, reducing food consumption gaps through subsidies and improved access to food. Strengthening nutrition education, particularly on feeding practices and breastfeeding and updating baseline profiles to enhance data availability for food security analysis.

On July 12, 2024, Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane declared a state of national food insecurity disaster following a historic drought, driven by El Niño, which resulted in the lowest crop yields since the 2018/19 agricultural season.

The government estimated that approximately 700 000 people -about a third of Lesotho’s population – would face hunger through March 2025, with over 400 000 in rural areas expected to experience crisis levels of acute hunger.

The drought also led to severe water shortages, affecting both households and livestock. Looking at international support and setbacks, USAID previously highlighted that climate shocks, diseases, and economic conditions would continue to drive high levels of acute food insecurity in Lesotho.

The agency had supported World Vision Lesotho in providing unconditional cash-based food assistance to vulnerable households in Mafeteng, Mohale’s Hoek, and Quthing.

However, the suspension of USAID funding under the new US administration of President Donald Trump has created uncertainties regarding future aid availability. While humanitarian efforts have eased the crisis to some extent, experts warn that sustained intervention is necessary to ensure long-term food security for Basotho.