United Nations (UN) Deputy Secretary-General (DSG), Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, visited Lesotho, 4-6th October 2024, to reaffirm the UN’s commitment and support towards the country’s efforts aimed at achieving its long-term vision and meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Representing the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, the DSG attended the Kingdom’s historic Bicentenary celebrations in Maseru. Her visit underscored the enduring partnership between the UN and Lesotho, highlighting a shared commitment to sustainable development, peace, and prosperity.“Two hundred years ago, under the visionary leadership of King Moshoeshoe I, the Basotho nation was founded on the principles of diplomacy, unity, and a profound respect for human dignity. In times of conflict, displacement, and colonial expansion, King Moshoeshoe I chose a path of peace. His approach was revolutionary: to build a nation through dialogue, inclusion, and peaceful alliances.” Ms. Mohammed said, while addressing attendees at Setsoto stadium. King Moshoeshoe’s legacy of peace and inclusion continues to inspire globally, demonstrating the power of dialogue, inclusion, and peaceful alliances. While in the country, Ms. Mohammed held high-level meetings with His Majesty King Letsie III and Prime Minister Samuel Matekane during which Lesotho’s development progress and opportunities as well as challenges in meeting the SDG promise were discussed. The DSG reiterated the UN’s continued support to and partnership with the Kingdom stressing that while the investment being made by the UN through the resident and non-resident agencies was making an impact in people’s lives, a lot more could be achieved with more partners on board.  During her visit to the mountain kingdom, Ms. Mohammed, in the company of Her Majesty Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso, the country’s Finance Minister, Honourable Dr Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane and UN Residence Coordinator, Ms. Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, also engaged with survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). With a high rate of GBV in the country, the UN in Lesotho has developed a joint initiative to address the challenge and established a soon-to-be launched Multi-Purpose Centre for Survivors of GBV in Maseru – services such as psychosocial support, legal aid, medical care, and skills training, aimed at restoring dignity and fostering resilience among survivors will be provided at the Centre.  Ms. Mohammed also took time to review the progress of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project – an investment under the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) that is crucial for transforming social and economic fortunes for Basotho people. Additionally, she met with traditional leaders with whom she discussed several issues affecting communities, especially the youth and women. She acknowledged the importance of local leadership in strengthening social cohesion and advancing national development. During her dialogue with the youth, the DSG commended the efforts of young Basotho in combating poverty and contributing to the country’s economic growth, aligning with her call for youth involvement in shaping Lesotho’s sustainable development path.-----Ms. Mohammed’s visit celebrated Lesotho’s 200-year journey and reinforced the UN’s ongoing partnership in addressing the country’s pressing challenges, from gender-based violence to youth empowerment and sustainable development. Her engagements reflected the strong partnership between the UN and the Kingdom of Lesotho. The partnerships will continue to shape the nation’s path toward peace, dignity, and prosperity for generations to come. 

Amid a growing food security crisis in Lesotho, Assistant Secretary-General and Climate Crisis Coordinator for El Niño and La Niña, Reena Ghelani, concluded a four-day mission to the country. Joined by Andrea Noyes, Head of the Regional Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and UN Resident Coordinator Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, Ms. Ghelani met with government officials, communities affected by the drought, and UN and civil society partners to discuss emergency needs and climate resilience.During their visit, Ms. Ghelani and Ms. Noyes announced that the acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator will release US$2 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support a coordinated humanitarian response in Lesotho. The announcement comes in response to the severe drought conditions, which led the Government of Lesotho to declare a National Food Insecurity Disaster on 12 July 2024.The drought, worsened by El Niño conditions, has resulted in the lowest crop yields since the 2018/19 season. Government assessments reveal that about a third of Lesotho's population—approximately 700,000 people—will face hunger in the coming months. Crisis levels of acute hunger are anticipated for over 400,000 people in rural areas through March 2025, while nearly 300,000 people in urban areas are projected to become food insecure. Additionally, water shortages have become critical, with many wells drying up cross the country.“We must support vulnerable communities affected by the drought in Lesotho,” said Reena Ghelani. “This US$2 million allocation will help scale up humanitarian assistance for those most in need, but we also need to strengthen long-term resilience to prevent future crises.”Ms. Ghelani and Ms. Noyes discussed with government officials and partners on addressing immediate needs and strategies for long-term resilience against climate shocks. They visited the drought-affected regions of Qacha’s Nek and Mafeteng, where they met farmers facing crop failures and families struggling to feed their children.“The situation is difficult,” Ms. Noyes remarked. “We met farmers whose crops have failed, and distressed mothers who shared their struggles to find enough food for their children. This CERF allocation will be critical in helping people access sufficient food and essential services. The time for action is now. OCHA is committed to supporting the UN and partners in Lesotho to strengthen coordination and scale up the response to complement government efforts.”UN Resident Coordinator Amanda Khozi Mukwashi reaffirmed the United Nations’ commitment to supporting Lesotho. “We stand with the people of Lesotho in this time of need,” she said. “The emergency allocation underscores the UN’s commitment to working closely with the Government of Lesotho and all partners to ensure a coordinated and effective response.”The UN in Lesotho is actively working to implement the recently launched National El Niño Response Plan, which requires an estimated $212.9 million. However, $112.8 million is still needed to fully meet the demands of the current crisis. This plan emphasizes immediate relief and long-term resilience to reduce the impact of recurring climate shocks.With the support of the CERF allocation and ongoing partnerships, the UN and Lesotho are taking critical steps toward a coordinated response to the current crisis while strengthening resilience for the future.

Lesotho, grappling with a severe food insecurity crisis exacerbated by prolonged drought and El Niño impacts, had more than 699,000 Basotho facing food insecurity by early July 2024. In response, Prime Minister Samuel Matekane declared a state of food disaster on 12 July 2024.A high-level delegation from three United Nations agencies: FAO, WFP and IFAD visited Lesotho from 4th to 6th August 2024 to address this urgent situation. The visit aimed to bolster agricultural investment and support efforts to improve food and nutrition security in the country.Invited by His Majesty King Letsie III, who serves as the FAO Special Goodwill Ambassador for Nutrition, the delegation included FAO Director-General QU Dongyu, WFP Assistant Executive Director for Programme and Policy Development Valerie Guarnieri, and IFAD Associate Vice-President for Programme Management Donald Brown. This visit underscored the UN’s commitment to tackling Lesotho’s pressing food insecurity issues.Lesotho has faced significant challenges in achieving self-sufficiency in food production, particularly in cereals, meat, and vegetables. Even in favourable years, the country heavily relied on food imports, primarily from South Africa. The ongoing drought, poor rainfall, and rising global food prices had further deteriorated the situation, increasing vulnerability and unemployment.Despite these challenges, Lesotho possesses substantial potential for expanding its horticulture, livestock, and dairy industries, with opportunities in trout farming and growing fruits and vegetables. However, only a small fraction of arable land was actively farmed, and even less was under irrigation.The agriculture sector, which employs around 38% of the population, is essential for poverty alleviation and rural development. There is a pressing need for investments in sustainable farming practices and green technologies to enhance resilience in Lesotho’s agricultural sector.The National Strategic Development Plan II (NSDP II) has recognized the importance of improving nutrition through enhanced agricultural production and resilience. It stresses the interdependence of agriculture and ecosystem health, aiming to reverse environmental degradation and adapt to climate change.During their visit, the UN delegation engaged in field visits, stakeholder meetings, and discussions with government officials, private sector representatives, women and youth groups, and people with disabilities. Key activities included:Sunday, 4th August: A joint field visit to Leribe Mahobong, attended by His Majesty King Letsie III and the Prime Minister. Monday, 5th August: A stakeholder meeting in Maseru, where representatives from FAO, WFP, IFAD, civil society, and beneficiaries discussed the state of food systems. Agriculture Market Day: An event showcasing local agricultural produce and innovations in Masianokeng, Maseru. Tuesday, 6th August: A high-level dialogue on food systems at Maseru Avani, followed by a press conference. During the High-Level Dialogue on Food Systems, His Majesty King Letsie III underscored the critical need to expand agricultural finance in Lesotho, stating, "The cost of agriculture transformation is enormous; thus, access to finance is a catalyst for growth and it must be addressed urgently."King Letsie III highlighted the challenges faced by the agricultural sector, noting that financial institutions often minimized their exposure to agriculture due to perceived high-risk considerations. "It is our belief and hope that beyond this gathering, issues regarding access to finance in the agriculture space will be addressed," he said.He remarked that while there were significant impediments to the growth of a high-value agro-food system in Lesotho, finance remained a crucial catalyst for transformation. "To realize advancements in the agro-food value chain, it is essential to have innovative instruments designed by the private sector to mobilize additional resources, address market failures, and remove barriers," he added.The dialogue occurred against the backdrop of a severe food insecurity crisis in Lesotho. "An alarming 700,000 Basotho—nearly one-third of the country’s population—faced severe food insecurity, a sharp increase from 582,000 last year. The resources required to meet this crisis surged from M1 billion in March 2023 to M3 billion last year and M3 billion this year," King Letsie III noted.In her address, Delekazi Mokebe, CEO of First National Bank Lesotho and spokesperson for the Bankers Association of Lesotho (BAL), addressed concerns about banks providing credit to farmers. She explained, “The question in the room is, ‘Do banks provide credit to farmers?’ And the answer is yes, of course they do.”FAO Director-General Dr. Qu Dongyu stressed the importance of coordination and timely delivery during the visit. "The first step was to build strength, followed by finding innovative solutions and then swiftly taking action," he advised. He also outlined the three components of food security: food availability, food accessibility, and food affordability, noting their varying levels of challenges worldwide.Dr. Qu commended His Majesty for designating August as "Food Month" in Lesotho, reflecting the government’s prioritization of food security. He emphasized the critical need for agrifood systems transformation to achieve food security and support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), stating, “We all need to work together as one big team.”The visit represented a significant effort to strengthen cooperation between the government, the UN, and local and international partners to achieve food and nutrition security in Lesotho and ensure that future investments in the agricultural sector are impactful and sustainable. 

In the heart of Thaba Tseka, nestled beneath the expansive African sky, lies Ha Soai village. On a crisp morning of March 20, 2024, a team comprising UNICEF and World Vision embarked on a poignant journey, eager to witness firsthand the transformative impact of their collaborative project. Their destination held promise: Ha Soai, where the spirit of community thrives despite challenges.Tales of change and progress unfolded as the team gathered with Chief Soai and 27 villagers. Through the The Ntlafatsa Bana Programme efforts, essential social services reached their doorstep, sparking empowerment and fostering a sense of belonging. Among the remarkable outcomes was the establishment of two nutrition clubs within the village, symbolizing newfound resilience.For ‘Mamolotsi Soai, a dedicated mother and active Ha Soai Nutrition Club member, the project has been a lifeline amid hardship. Balancing her husband's and three children's needs against the backdrop of drought and scarce resources is a daily struggle. Yet, within the solidarity of her community lies solace and strength.Through the nutrition club, Mmamolotsi has gained invaluable knowledge of homestead gardening, water conservation, and child protection. These skills sustain her family with diverse vegetables and cultivate resilience in adversity. As she tends to her modest garden, Mmamolotsi reflects on the profound impact of the project on her life and those around her.The nutrition club, offering services from immunization to cooking demonstrations, has become a lifeline for Ha Soai, illuminating a path towards a brighter future. In the face of the El Nino crisis of 2023-2024 and dwindling water sources, their resilience shines as a testament to Lesotho's communities' determination and strength.The Ntlafatsa Bana Programme, a UNICEF and EU co-funded initiative, seeks to enhance the well-being and development of children under five in beneficiary homes of the Child Grant Programme. Building on previous phases, this iteration aims to bridge the Child Grants Program with essential services, nurturing a brighter tomorrow for future generations.