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Story
06 June 2022
How a teenager with an STI got more than she bargained for at a Lesotho health clinic...
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Speech
06 May 2022
Launch of Technology Needs Assessment for Lesotho
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Speech
04 April 2022
The High Level Forum on the Status of Implementation of Lesotho National Reforms
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Latest
The Sustainable Development Goals in Lesotho
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Lesotho:
Publication
27 April 2022
UN COUNTRY RESULTS REPORT 2021
The report highlights the UN's support to the Government of Lesotho in 2021.The UN worked with government on the COVID-19 response and recovery in strengthening health systems, social protection, protecting jobs, MSMEs and the informal sector, supporting community resilience and much more.
The report shows the impact of the UN's work in the lives of the Basotho people.
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Publication
07 December 2021
Multi Dimensional Child Poverty Report
This multidimensional child poverty report presents the child poverty situation in Lesotho based on multiple and overlapping deprivation analysis using data in the 2018 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). Lesotho has successfully reduced poverty in the past fifteen years, with the overall national poverty ratios decreasing from 56.6 per cent in 2002 to 49.7 per cent in 2017, and absolute poverty from 34.1 per cent in 2002 and 24.1 per cent in 2017.
Thanks to a widespread Social Protection Programme, inequality registered a drop, with the Gini index falling from 51.9 in 2002 to 44.6 in 2017. The report utilises the National Multidimensional Overlapping Deprivation Analysis (N-MODA) methodology (De Neuborg, et al., 2012) and measures trends since the 2018 N-MODA analysis. The methodology hinges on the Alkire and Foster method used to measure Multidimensional Poverty (Alkire & Foster, 2011) at the global level.
The Lesotho N-MODA focuses on eight dimensions, four (education, nutrition, health, and protection from violence), which are measured at the level of the child. The other four namely: water, sanitation, housing, and access to information, are measured at the household level, meaning they affect all household members equally, regardless of age. Even though there are eight dimensions in total, three age groups, 0-23 months, 5-12 years, and 13-17 years, were assessed against seven dimensions defining their welfare, while six were considered for the aged group 24-59 months. One or more indicators define each dimension.
To measure deprivation in a particular dimension, indicators are aggregated into dimensions using the union approach, which considers a child as deprived in the specific indicator when her status falls below the agreed threshold. Likewise, a child is considered deprived in a dimension if she is deprived in any one indicator. A child is considered multidimensionally poor if deprived in 3 dimensions simultaneously. In the multidimensional poverty status computation, all dimensions have equal weight as there is no trade-off between child rights.
Thanks to a widespread Social Protection Programme, inequality registered a drop, with the Gini index falling from 51.9 in 2002 to 44.6 in 2017. The report utilises the National Multidimensional Overlapping Deprivation Analysis (N-MODA) methodology (De Neuborg, et al., 2012) and measures trends since the 2018 N-MODA analysis. The methodology hinges on the Alkire and Foster method used to measure Multidimensional Poverty (Alkire & Foster, 2011) at the global level.
The Lesotho N-MODA focuses on eight dimensions, four (education, nutrition, health, and protection from violence), which are measured at the level of the child. The other four namely: water, sanitation, housing, and access to information, are measured at the household level, meaning they affect all household members equally, regardless of age. Even though there are eight dimensions in total, three age groups, 0-23 months, 5-12 years, and 13-17 years, were assessed against seven dimensions defining their welfare, while six were considered for the aged group 24-59 months. One or more indicators define each dimension.
To measure deprivation in a particular dimension, indicators are aggregated into dimensions using the union approach, which considers a child as deprived in the specific indicator when her status falls below the agreed threshold. Likewise, a child is considered deprived in a dimension if she is deprived in any one indicator. A child is considered multidimensionally poor if deprived in 3 dimensions simultaneously. In the multidimensional poverty status computation, all dimensions have equal weight as there is no trade-off between child rights.
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Publication
04 May 2021
2020 UN Country Annual Results Report
COVID-19 destabilised the Kingdom of Lesotho’s development agenda in 2020, reducing economic growth and destroying people’s livelihoods. Businesses and farms were forced to close under lockdowns, some of which may never reopen, causing massive increases in unemployment; vulnerability increased, both in terms of absolute poverty, but also gender based violence and psychosocial stress; whilst the health and education sectors faced insurmountable pressure.
At the start of 2020, UN programming in Lesotho shifted from its long-term development focus to responding to the immediate humanitarian threat posed by COVID-19.
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Story
06 June 2022
How a teenager with an STI got more than she bargained for at a Lesotho health clinic...
HA KOALI, Berea district, Lesotho—When a high school teenager with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) visited a clinic at Ha Koali for treatment, she got more than she expected. Nursing Officer ‘Makatleho Rapapa counselled and treated her, then provided information on family planning, including the newly introduced self-injection depo, Sayanna Press.
“The fact that she had an STI showed that she was already [having] sex,” Ms Rapapa said. “During counselling, I showed her different types of contraceptives and she opted for Sayanna Press. She preferred it as she would not have to miss school or ask her parents to [allow her to] visit the health facility regularly.”
By providing the girl with counselling and information services, contraceptives, and treating her STI, the clinic provided integrated sexual and reproductive health-care services, as recommended under the 2gether 4 SRHR programme. This is a regional intervention with the goal of improving the sexual and reproductive health and rights of all people, with a particular focus on adolescent girls, young people and key populations in East and Southern Africa.
Integrating services for greater efficiency
To ensure integrated services, healthcare providers must have the knowledge and skills needed to provide an appropriate basic package of services, and to refer patients for other necessary services not provided at that site, as the Nursing Officer did in the case of the teenager.
In Quthing district, integrated services are offered during community outreach initiatives. As 80 per cent of the population in Quthing works in South Africa, they are given a full package of services during a community outreach programme, as they visit Lesotho on a seasonal basis, according to the District’s Public Health Nurse, ‘Mateboho Mothupi.
“We provide the full package, including cervical cancer screening and HIV testing and counselling, besides the provision of different types of contraceptives, and refer cases of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Just recently, we referred a 12-year-old HIV-positive girl who had a mental illness, whose father was aware of a [case of] SGBV [perpetrated] on her by a friend,” she said.
In Quthing, most people walk long distances to reach a health facility, hence the need for the community outreach initiative. In Butha-Buthe district, Lesotho Planned Parenthood Association (LPPA) launched and runs the outreach programme once a month at ‘Moteng, and includes a health talk. It also offers HIV testing and counselling, cancer screening, COVID-19 vaccination and family planning services.
Self-injecting contraceptive method gaining ground
Rethabile* heard about the self-injection depo (Sayana Press) during one of the health talks and made a decision to use it, with the assistance of the health-care providers. “I will come for the next dose after three months. If, by then, they realise that I can inject myself, then they will give me the next doses to do it myself,” she said. “It is not painful. I am going to encourage others to use it.”
The rationale for the integration of services is to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the health system and to meet people’s needs for accessible, acceptable, convenient, client-centred and comprehensive care.
In Lesotho, UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, leads the implementation of the 2gether 4 SRHR programme in collaboration with UNAIDS, UNICEF and WHO. The programme combines strategies and activities according to the strengths and advantages of the four participating UN agencies. It provides support to governments, civil society and communities to scale up quality services on integrated sexual reproductive health and rights, HIV, and sexual and gender-based violence for all, especially adolescent girls, young people and key populations.
UNFPA has developed the capacity of journalists in Lesotho to report on sexual and reproductive health and rights, with focus on the 2gether 4 SRHR programme and integration of SRHR, HIV and SGBV services, so that they can raise awareness about the programme and related issues. The journalists toured health facilities to observe at first hand the provision of integrated services.
Lesotho is one of five countries implementing the 2gether 4 SRHR programme, which is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).
* Name changed to protect privacy
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Story
11 April 2022
UN convenes first annual stakeholder forum
On 22 March, the UN in Lesotho convened a Stakeholder Forum aimed at engaging with the various organizations and institutions the UN works with, including government, private sector entities, development partners, youth & women groups, religious leaders, academia, persons with disabilities and many more who work with the UN as it delivers its mandate in Lesotho.
Together the forum discussed various issues affecting the country including the current scourge of gender-based violence, the socio-economic outlook of the country and the impact of COVID19. Other topics included understanding and mobilizing domestic and international resources as well as avenues for improving living conditions of rural communities and the impact of climate change.
The UN Resident Coordinator, Ms Amanda Khozi Mukwashi opened the meeting emphasizing that every voice mattered, “we are gathered here today as a diverse group of people, representing many organizations, and coming from various walks of life. The reason you are here is because your voice matters, and it needs to be brought to the table and considered as we plan for the year ahead.”
The bold Agenda 2030 indicates that the sustainable development goals cannot be achieved with sole actions but demands for creation and fostering of multi-stakeholder partnerships that will have a common vision to lead the implementation of the SDGs.
“The discussions today were fruitful, and we welcome more of these stakeholder sessions. I think we are on the right track because we can now see the benefits of collective action, transformational and systemic change is on the horizon,” remarked Dr Moeketsi Ntho, Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Gender and Youth, Sports and Recreation.
As the stakeholder forum drew to a close and upon reflection, it was again evident to the UN Country Team that galvanizing and convening stakeholders to co-create effective partnerships is an essential leadership imperative for the 21st century.
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Story
20 March 2022
Women At Centre of Sustainable Development
International Women’s Day is a timely reminder of the efforts and toils of thousands of women in years gone by who fought for women’s rights and gender justice. Today we are in leadership positions as women from different countries and it is important to take time to acknowledge the space that their efforts established for us to step into. While we use the day to celebrate these contributions, it is important that we also take time to speak up on issues that still keep women out of public office, keep women out of employment and make it difficult for women to fulfill their potential to thrive economically and as people with dignity.
Globally, people will hopefully take time to pause and reflect on what this day means for them as individuals and as part of a collective of nations. Particularly at this time when the world is walking a tightrope caused by the COVID 19 pandemic, climate change and conflict. In many countries, already existing fault lines have been exposed and semi-healed wounds torn open. Millions of women across the world, including in Lesotho, have lost jobs, missed opportunities for learning and fallen deeper into poverty. Of great concern is that Lesotho has continued to experience high levels of gender-based violence which has left some women dead and others battling for a meaningful existence. Negative coping mechanisms have resulted in increased cases of forced child marriage and unwanted teenage pregnancies.
Food insecurity has also impacted women and children. Over one third of children in Lesotho are stunted, affecting cognitive ability and diminishing potential. Lack of nutritious food has lifelong impact for the country. Social norms which relegate women and girls to subordinate status remain entrenched, further exacerbating their multiple disadvantages. As the country grapples with high levels of youth unemployment and under-employment, young women are bearing the brunt of lack of opportunities. All this, together with the vulnerabilities that have been brought by the COVID19 pandemic and the high levels of HIV and TB, maternal mortality and limited access to sexual health and reproductive services, have compounded the situation that women and girls face in the country. That is why it is important for us to bring the spotlight and focus on the need for women and girls, regardless of age, disability, rural/urban, or social economic status background, to be at the centre of all sustainable development action.
There is no single sustainable development goal that will be achieved without addressing the continued exclusion of women from exercising their human rights with respect and dignity. The experience and lived realities of women and girls in Lesotho should not be ignored. Instead, these should be brought into the centre of the sustainable development discourse at the national and sub-national levels. It is important that women’s leadership, particularly, is supported at all levels so that the country can benefit from the high literacy levels that it enjoys. Women have a whole range of skills that can be used to re-position Lesotho as a green and thriving economy. Being able to capture community assets in terms of knowledge, different skills (not only those acquired through academic qualifications) and natural community endowments is something that we must all continuously strive to do. It allows us to value the different knowledge economy that women bring to the table and enables them to take leadership roles.
As women leaders ourselves, we know all too well the challenges that women from different walks of life face. But we are products of the opportunities that our societies have created and so we know that it is possible to create opportunities and spaces for women as leaders in the economy and socially. Creating a conducive environment for all to enjoy peace and participate in local and national leadership spaces is therefore essential for gender justice to be experienced by all. The National Reforms that the country is committed to implement must continuously be checked against gender equality and leaving no one behind. Women in Lesotho are not only mothers, sisters, aunties, wives, grandmothers and friends, they are also economists, architects, doctors, nurses, teachers, politicians, farmers, entrepreneurs, lawyers, religious leaders, care givers, community leaders and homemakers. Above all, they hold the social fabric of our societies together. If we want our societies to be strong and thriving, we must invest in women’s social, economic and political capacities and abilities. We must be comfortable and confident with standing side by side as Basotho for all Basotho.
As we celebrate this International Women’s Day, let us remember the commitments that Lesotho has made for the advancement of gender equality, through the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Maputo Protocol, the SADC Declaration on Gender and Development and SADC sponsored Prevention of HIV among Girls and Women, among many others. We need to continually ensure that existing laws and policies are not only ratified, but critically, domesticated and fully implemented. A peaceful and prosperous future must put women and girls at the centre of sustainable development.
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Story
22 March 2022
Lesotho launches its second Voluntary National Review process for 2022
The Voluntary National Reviews aim to track the progress in implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Through the Ministry of Development Planning, with support from the UN, Lesotho has today launched its processes in preparing for its second time presentation of the Voluntary National Review (VNR) report of Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.
The final report will be presented at the 2022 High Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York at the United Nations Headquarters in July later this year.
“We must integrate the SDGs in the development work we do on a daily basis, this will assist us in maintaining the 2030 Agenda as a key priority for Lesotho”, remarked the Right Honorable Prime Minister of Lesotho, Dr Moeketsi Majoro at the launch ceremony.
As part of the follow-up and review mechanism for the SDGs, member states are encouraged to conduct voluntary, regular, and inclusive reviews of progress at the national and sub-national levels to share experiences, including successes, challenges, and lessons learned.
The UN Resident Coordinator, Amada Khozi Mukwashi further reiterated the importance of engaging the Basotho people on the journey of working for sustainable development in Lesotho: “In the process of interrogating the SDGs, we need to be truthful in what we have done & what still needs to be done. Let us make sure that as many of the Basotho people as possible are involved, no one must be left behind” she said.
Lesotho will review four SDGs: Equality education, SDG 4, gender equality, SDG 5, Partnership for the goals, SDG 17 and life on land, SDG 15.
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Story
03 March 2022
Optimizing vaccine uptake through training of teachers and school boards
After two years of crippling with COVID-19, the introduction of vaccines had shone the light for a better future, a better future for the economy, social and academic life of every country.
Schools were highly disrupted by the pandemic, total shut downs for over a year and for some introducing a new way of learning online, which proved to be a struggle for many students and teachers, especially in a country like Lesotho with limited technological infrastructure. Now, the introduction of the Pfizer vaccine, which is eligible for 12 to 17 year olds, has brought massive hope for the return of full-time schooling for children. The Ministry of Education in Lesotho is directing maximum effort to ensure that every student receives high-quality education, while working to safeguard health, safety, and well-being of students, families, teachers, and staff.
Thabiso Motšoeneng, 14 years old, is one of a few young people who decided without hesitation to take the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in December 2021. He has only just started in secondary school but does not stop to express his love for science, with great emphasis on the current COVID-19 pandemic.
“I have been reading a lot of articles online about the pandemic during the long unfortunate break we had and, I think out of all the health articles I have seen and news I have heard; the discovery of the vaccine was the best news for me” he says.
Thabiso’s mother, ‘Mathabiso Motšoeneng introduced us to his son during the Lesotho Red Cross COVID-19 awareness workshop for Kolojane Primary School teachers and school board members. The activity, financially supported by WHO Lesotho aims to strengthen health systems in Lesotho through the “Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator(ACT-A) programme”.
‘Mathabiso says she had her doubts initially with the vaccine especially when targeting children, “I had side effects which were moderate, a slight headache, weakness and numbness, and I was afraid it could get worse. However, my son told me, after taking the first shot that he didn’t have any side-effects, I realized we are all different and respond differently to vaccines”.
Mathabiso is one of the members of the Kolojane primary school board who received training on COVID-19, and how vaccines work, what each participant’s role is in advocating for vaccinations and ways to increase demand in their different circles, “we learned so much about vaccines and how they work, now that we are knowledgeable we will pass what we have to our communities and children”.
Tšita Maqatsa , a nurse at Kolojane Health Centre, says prior to the information dissemination activities, the vaccine uptake for 12 to 17 year olds was very low but after reaching out to two schools in the area, the uptake started to increase, “it dawned on us that people needed and wanted to first get the relevant education and information for them to take informed decisions”.
So far the health centre has trained teachers and school board members in three school around the catchment area.
As of February end of 2022, at least 38.5% of the total population has been fully vaccinated and 201 240 12 to 17-year-old have received their first dose of Pfizer in Lesotho.
This activity gives school leaders an opportunity to address vaccine hesitancy and promote uptake by faculty, staff, students, and extended families in the Berea district—all of which could help the country reach herd immunity.
To do this effectively, schools should work to understand the needs and concerns of different people in their communities, and elevate trusted local voices who can support vaccine efforts with empathy and compassion. By prioritizing equitable and innovative approaches to embrace vaccinations, schools can promote the health and well-being of everyone.
We have an opportunity to return to an in-person education where every student can thrive.
The ACT-A project funded by the Canadian government focuses on engaging the private sector and non-state actors as an important venture to improve country private sector governance and to strengthen equitable access to relevant COVID-19 response interventions. The initiative provides cross-cutting health systems support for the COVID-19 response, including the deployment of tools, vaccines, diagnostics, therapeutics, PPE, and oxygen to Lesotho.
Lesotho Red Cross is among four Non-State actors involved in the ACT-A project, with Christian Health Association of Lesotho(CHAL), Global Health Access Initiative (GHAI) and the Lesotho World Vision in addressing COVID-19response gaps in the country.
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Press Release
07 December 2021
Lesotho: European Union continues to support those facing food insecurity through the World Food Programme
The funding, provided by the EU’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) will be used to reach families worst affected by the impacts of rising climate shocks, food prices and the prolonged effects of COVID-19 in the capital Maseru and Qacha’s Nek districts; including families badly affected by recent windstorms in Sehlaba-Thebe, Qacha`s Nek. Each household will receive the equivalent of € 54 in cash, per month, allowing them to buy food items from local markets.
“The EU continues to support partners such as WFP in order to provide life-saving food assistance to the most vulnerable people suffering the effects of climate shocks and the COVID-19 pandemic” said Ms. Paola Amadei, EU Ambassador to Lesotho. “We are aware that people in urban and peri-urban areas who lost their jobs or businesses have been hit hard by climate shocks, and we want to contribute to alleviating their suffering as a consequence of the pandemic."
The support from the EU comes at a crucial time, when hunger is peaking with over 470,000 of the population experiencing acute levels of food insecurity through March 2022. Food prices have increased, and households are still feeling the long-term impacts of COVID-19 control measures on their livelihoods such as loss of jobs and severe reduction in remittances, with many migrant workers returning to Lesotho after losing their jobs.
“We thank the European Union for continuing their support, allowing WFP and the government to provide much-needed assistance to vulnerable people affected by COVID-19 and climate shocks”, said Ms. Aurore Rusiga, WFP Country Director and Representative in Lesotho. “This timely contribution will help WFP save lives by supporting those who are most at risk and change lives by improving the food security and nutrition of targeted people.”
WFP will undertake Social Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) initiatives during cash distributions to provide information on basic hygiene for the prevention of COVID-19, as well as information on nutritional practices to enhance purchasing choices for households to meet their nutritional needs.
The European Union is one of WFP’s main donors in Lesotho. The latest contribution brings the total contributions to € 7 million in the last five years.
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Press Release
08 November 2021
Germany provides support to vulnerable people in Lesotho
This contribution will improve access to food and ensure that vulnerable people, including women, have access to an adequate and nutritious diet in times of need, particularly during the lean season, more commonly referred to as the period between planting and harvesting. The assistance to the identified people will be through monthly cash transfers via mobile money and commodity voucher assistance.
“Germany hopes that this funding will contribute to mitigating the suffering of vulnerable people at a time when more of them are in need of humanitarian assistance,” said Andreas Pesche, German Ambassador to South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini, based in Pretoria. “We commend WFP for its continuous efforts to improve the lives of vulnerable people in the southern Africa region.”
According to the 2021 Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, about 312,000 people of the total rural population in Lesotho are food insecure and the Lesotho vulnerability Assessment report estimated that a total of 158,000 urban population in Lesotho is food insecure. In total, about 470,00 people are food insecure and require humanitarian assistance to reduce food gaps, protect and restore livelihoods and prevent acute malnutrition. “WFP welcomes this timely and generous contribution from the people of Germany to enable us to respond to the most urgent humanitarian needs across the country, especially during the difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic which has impacted already vulnerable groups in Lesotho, driving them into increased food insecurity,” said Lesotho WFP Country Director and Representative, Aurora Rusiga. “This contribution from Germany will go a long way in assisting vulnerable people who are finding it increasingly difficult to put food on the table and in dire need of support.”
WFP aims to assist 122,000 food insecure people through emergency response assistance until the end of the lean season in March 2022 with monthly cash transfers via mobile money and commodity vouchers. Beneficiaries receive USD 47 per month to help meet their basic food needs. Presently, the available funding will allow WFP to assist a total of 44,000 food insecure people.
“Germany hopes that this funding will contribute to mitigating the suffering of vulnerable people at a time when more of them are in need of humanitarian assistance,” said Andreas Pesche, German Ambassador to South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini, based in Pretoria. “We commend WFP for its continuous efforts to improve the lives of vulnerable people in the southern Africa region.”
According to the 2021 Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, about 312,000 people of the total rural population in Lesotho are food insecure and the Lesotho vulnerability Assessment report estimated that a total of 158,000 urban population in Lesotho is food insecure. In total, about 470,00 people are food insecure and require humanitarian assistance to reduce food gaps, protect and restore livelihoods and prevent acute malnutrition. “WFP welcomes this timely and generous contribution from the people of Germany to enable us to respond to the most urgent humanitarian needs across the country, especially during the difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic which has impacted already vulnerable groups in Lesotho, driving them into increased food insecurity,” said Lesotho WFP Country Director and Representative, Aurora Rusiga. “This contribution from Germany will go a long way in assisting vulnerable people who are finding it increasingly difficult to put food on the table and in dire need of support.”
WFP aims to assist 122,000 food insecure people through emergency response assistance until the end of the lean season in March 2022 with monthly cash transfers via mobile money and commodity vouchers. Beneficiaries receive USD 47 per month to help meet their basic food needs. Presently, the available funding will allow WFP to assist a total of 44,000 food insecure people.
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Press Release
10 November 2021
“Reimagine, Rebalance, Restart: Recovering together”, celebrating the UN’s 76th Anniversary in Lesotho
The UN supported the capacity building of health personnel on COVID-19 prevention and care in health facilities across the country, more recently, with all the 206 health facility staff being capacitated on COVID19 vaccine administration. The UN further supported government in the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX facility, with the country having now administered at least 383 341 doses (about 11% of the population), exceeding the target set by WHO that by the end of September 2021, every country and territory should have vaccinated 10% of its population.
Women were also supported with maternal health services, an effort for the continuity of health essential health services. Over 800 000 people and 500 000 school learners benefited from improved access to water and sanitation, which is key in the protection against COVID19 through the provision of handwashing facilities throughout the country.
The UN day was commemorated through a UN Fair under the theme: “Recovering together” an opportune moment for the UN, on its 76th Anniversary, to reflect and celebrate joint achievements and impact of the various COVID19 response programmes across all the UN agencies in Lesotho.
“I have come here today to salute the United Nations and the people of Lesotho for the progress in transforming this great Kingdom into a prosperous, peaceful and stable nation. We are all aware that we still have a long way to the optimum ‘Lesotho We want’,” remarked the UN Resident Coordinator a.i, Betty Wabunoha at the opening ceremony.
She highlighted the importance of working together in finding ways to collectively find solutions to complex challenges that face the country including COVID19.
Further, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Matshepo Ramakoae, reiterated the importance of “building back better” from the pandemic which has affected millions of people, however, commending the UN in continuing to work with the government in the fight against it, and in its effort in assisting the country to accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2030, or the Sustainable Development Goals.
Beyond the COVID19 response, the UN continues to support the government in the promotion of good governance, rule of law and human rights, gender responsive social protection systems, sustainable economic growth, food security and decent jobs, and sustainable natural resource use.
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Press Release
10 November 2021
Lesotho Convenes UNCTAD15 Side Panel Event On Bridging The Divide Between Formal & Informal Cross-Border Traders
The UNCTAD 15 conference will establish the organisation’s work priorities for the next four years and formulate global policy recommendations. It presents an opportunity for developed and developing countries to jointly take bold actions to reduce inequality and vulnerability and offer hope and direction to a world struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
UNCTAD15 will be held under the theme “From inequality and vulnerability to prosperity for all”, offering the nations of the world a platform to devise new ways to use trade as an enabler of sustainable development.
With economies all over the world ravaged by COVID-19, countries will explore how to build back better and strengthen their resilience. They will discuss the strategies and policies needed to resist shocks and quickly recover from crises – economic, financial, climate and social.
To supplement the global conference, the UN in Lesotho today hosted host a side panel event specific to Lesotho under the theme “Bridging the divide between formal and informal cross-border traders”.
The UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Representative, Betty Wahunoha remarked at the opening session “HOLD FOR QUOTE”
Lesotho depends heavily on trade with South Africa, which was intermittently disrupted due to border closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whilst both formal and informal traders have been affected, formal, mainly medium-sized, traders have generally been able to navigate border closures and to maintain their trade routes and supply chains. However, informal, and small-sized formal, traders have experienced much greater disruption.
Those that have been able to maintain some trade have had to navigate more restrictive informal border crossings, which offer less protection, and thus frequently increase their exposure to vulnerability, particularly in the case of female traders. As Lesotho recovers from COVID-19 and seeks to stabilize trade, there must be consideration as to how to recognize informal cross-border traders, to protect their safety and livelihoods, support their formalization and to ensure that nobody is left behind. This will further strengthen the national efforts towards accession to the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.
HOLD FOR QUOTE, Eriko Nihushumura, IOM head of Office
The panel discussion will focused on the biggest challenges facing informal cross-border traders, how to ensure their safety, increase their contribution to trade and economic development, the challenges and opportunities in their formalization and potential.
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Press Release
20 September 2021
Japan renews commitment to food and nutrition assistance in Lesotho
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated food insecurity in the country as sources of livelihoods (casual labour, remittances, crop sales, petty trade, livestock sales or sale of livestock products) remain slightly lower than normal. It is estimated that some 312,000 Basotho will face acute food insecurity and require urgent humanitarian assistance, between October 2020 and March 2021. “The support from Japan has come at a critical time when WFP is appealing for more resources to respond to increasing humanitarian needs,” said Ms. Aurore Rusiga, WFP Lesotho Representative and Country Director. “The timely contribution will reach the most vulnerable Basotho children in the form of a hot and nutritious meal, allowing them to remain in school and as such to reach their full potential.”
Results from the latest Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) Food Insecurity Analysis of August 2021 predict that currently (September 2021) about 179,000 people are facing high acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3) and require humanitarian action to reduce food gaps, protect and restore livelihood and prevent acute malnutrition. Japan has been one of the most consistent donors to WFP Lesotho having donated over JPY 1 billion (US$10 million) since 2014. The online ceremony was attended virtually by the Ambassador of the Embassy of Japan in Pretoria, His Excellency Mr. Norio Maruyama and WFP southern Africa Regional Director, Mr. Menghestab Haile.
“The donation will help meet the heightened need for food assistance during this unprecedented time. Together we can work towards reducing the country’s development challenges, and strengthening our bilateral relations through humanitarian assistance,” said His Excellency Ambassador Norio Maruyama “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Government of Japan for this direct investment in the future of our country through the national school feeding programme,” said Mamookho Phiri, Honourable Minister of Education and Training. “This invaluable donation will complement the maize meal and highly fortified nutritious porridge that the children are currently enjoying and make a tangible difference to the lives of Basotho children across the nation.”
The contribution supports the National School Feeding Programme, which aims to ensure that vulnerable pre-primary school children in Lesotho have access to adequate, safe and nutritious food all year round.
The Government of Japan has been contributing towards humanitarian food assistance in developing countries since 1968 and is a long-standing partner of WFP in Lesotho.
The contribution supports the National School Feeding Programme, which aims to ensure that vulnerable pre-primary school children in Lesotho have access to adequate, safe and nutritious food all year round.
The Government of Japan has been contributing towards humanitarian food assistance in developing countries since 1968 and is a long-standing partner of WFP in Lesotho.
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Resources
13 October 2021
Resources
13 October 2021
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