Assistant Secretary-General Reena Ghelani Visits Lesotho as UN Allocates $2 Million for Drought Response

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.