Lesotho Drought Situation Update (May 2019- October 2019)

April to September 2019 was characterized by below normal rains for some parts of the country- impacting negatively on winter harvest and rangelands

Rangelands deteriorated earlier (August) than normal- negatively affecting livestock conditions.

Prices remained lower than five-year average and higher that previous year.

In the period (May – September 2019), approximately 350,000 rural people were in phase 3 (emergency food security situation IPC).

Four districts; Maseru, Mohale’ Hoek, Quthing and Qacha’s Nek classified in IPC Phase 3.

The situation is expected to deteriorate further and around 430,410 rural people are expected to be severely food insecure with all the districts classified in phase 3- emergency food insecurity Integrated Phase Classification in October 2019 to March 2020.