The Kingdom of Lesotho welcomed United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, António Guterres, on his first official visit, marking a momentous occasion for the Basotho nation as it celebrated its bicentenary. The two-day visit underscored the enduring partnership between the UN and Lesotho and reaffirmed solidarity with Africa in addressing global injustices that continue to hinder the country’s ability to achieve long-term development aspirations.The Secretary General met with His Majesty King Letsie III at the Palace during which the two leaders discussed challenges that the Kingdom of Lesotho was facing as a landlocked and developing country. The Secretary-General and His Majesty King discussed continued UN support towards the country’s long-term development efforts, including the national reform process.The meeting by the Secretary General and the Prime Minister together with cabinet ministers, discussed the country’s priorities as part of its long-term development aspirations and the needed for support to realise the vision for the Kingdom. Throughout his engagements with officials in the Kingdom, the Secretary-General reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting Lesotho’s long-term development agenda, including its efforts towards keeping its SDGs promise. He emphasized overcoming the challenges of Lesotho’s landlocked geography and securing access to affordable financing for sustainable development programmes.While in the country, the Secretary General addressed a joint sitting of the Senate and National Assembly. Mr. Guterres used the occasion to pay tribute to Lesotho’s founding father, King Moshoeshoe I approach to governance, stating that “while others chose conflict, he embraced dialogue. When faced with hostility, he responded with wisdom and courage.” By welcoming displaced communities and building bridges, he showed the world how diversity can strengthen the fabric of nationhood,” the Secretary General added.The Secretary-General called for justice in “a global system designed without African voices, maintained without African participation, and perpetuated despite African protests.” He further called for reforms in the UN Security Council, in the international financial system which he stated is outdated, dysfunctional and unfair to Africa. “Africa must not be forced to choose between economic development and climate action,” he added as he made the call for climate justice. [Read full speech here]The government of the Kingdom of Lesotho honoured the visiting UN Chief by naming a road connecting South Africa and Lesotho through Marakabei in Butha-Buthe. The António Guterres road was named alongside Morena Lethole of Butha-Buthe. This gesture by the government was a demonstration of the deep ties between Lesotho, its traditional leaders, and development partners partners like the UN, working together for development and progress.

The Secretary-General also visited the Katse Dam, a critical component of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. The project, a product of the cooperation between Lesotho and South Africa, is critical for the kingdom’s efforts to achieve economic development. Throughout his visit, Mr. Guterres highlighted Lesotho’s enormous potential, particularly in its renewable energy resources, youthful population, and resilient spirit. He urged global solidarity to support Lesotho’s development journey.The Secretary-General’s visit was a profound moment for Lesotho as it celebrated 200 years of nationhood. His message of justice, solidarity, and hope resonated deeply with the Basotho people. The visit reaffirmed the United Nations’ unwavering partnership with Lesotho as the nation looks toward a future of peace, prosperity, and resilience., filtered_html

In the mountainous Thaba-Tseka District of Lesotho lies Chaena village, a resilient community that has long faced challenges in accessing clean water. For decades, Chaena’s 269 residents and 160 households relied on a failing water system that provided only murky, red-tinted water in small amounts, often after hours of waiting at communal taps.Malerato Letuka, a 48-year-old resident and member of the local Water Committee, recalls, “Our water used to come out red. The pressure was so low that if students were drawing water, we’d wait hours for our turn. It was hard to wash, cook, or grow vegetables.”The transformation of Chaena village began with the Ntlafatsa Bana – Improvement for Children initiative, a collaborative effort by the European Union, UNICEF, and the Government of Lesotho. This initiative aims to strengthen the Government's capacity to efficiently deliver essential social assistance programs, including the Child Grants Programme (CGP), while also improving access to clean water, sustainable energy, nutrition services, and birth registration.This intervention was vital, as local councilor Thabang Tefo explains: “A lot of children in the village used to suffer from diarrhea due to dirty drinking water, but all that is now in the past. We are so happy to have clean water; our children are no longer falling sick.”The water system rehabilitation under Ntlafatsa Bana was a monumental task, involving re-plastering silt boxes, replacing taps, laying nearly a kilometer of piping, and building a 167-meter protective stone wall. Thanks to this collaborative effort, Chaena’s residents now have clean, abundant water for cooking, washing, and tending their gardens, ensuring a healthier future for the village’s children. The impacts extend beyond clean water alone. Chaena Primary School, educating 341 children from the village and nearby areas, now enjoys a steady water supply, allowing students to focus on learning without disruption.For health worker Mapuleng Sello, this progress marks a shift in community health: “We’re looking forward to training on nutrition, food production, and income-generating activities to help our families grow vegetables and ensure children get necessary nutrients.”To ensure the project’s sustainability, the community established a Village Water Committee, comprising the chief, councilor, and trained villagers like Malerato. “The training taught us not just how to fix pipes but how to keep the water clean and safe,” she says. Chief Likhetho Letuka adds, “Each household contributes M10.00 annually to cover maintenance costs. This small investment secures our future.”Beyond water access, Ntlafatsa Bana further promoted birth registration in the village, ensuring every child is recognized under the law. Outreach and education programs have made it easier for families to register their children, granting access to essential services and safeguarding their rights.Reflecting on the success of Ntlafatsa Bana, the Ambassador of the European Union, H.E. Paola Amadei, stated, “Our support in Lesotho through initiatives like this not only provides essential infrastructure but also highlights the EU’s ongoing commitment to empowering local communities. By working closely with our partners, we ensure the impact reaches far and wide.” Her words underscore the importance of collective efforts in driving meaningful change for communities like Chaena.Chaena's commitment to sustainable water use—through practices like minimizing waste and securing taps—sets a model for conservation, inspiring a broader commitment to safeguarding water resources for future generations. , filtered_html

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. , filtered_html

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., filtered_html