The European Union has joined the ministry of social development and the United Nations in Lesotho(UN) agencies to aid vulnerable populations throughout the country.
The EU stated that it will donate a total support of €11.8 million (approx. M235 Million) to relieve the social hardships caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and different natural disasters in Lesotho.
The funds will be used to reinforce different projects in the country. UNICEF Lesotho will lead a project to increase social transfers that will assist vulnerable populations affected by the ongoing crisis. The United Nations World Food Programme will work towards improving the food security of 8,500 households in the five worst affected districts, namely Quthing, Qacha’s Nek, Mohale’s Hoek, Mafeteng and Maseru.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation will lead another project to improve crop and livestock production for 19,000 vulnerable farming households. The International Organisation for Migration leads another to mount sustained Covid-19 response for Lesotho’s border communities and will lead another project that aims to improve the disaster preparedness of vulnerable populations in Mokhotlong and Thaba-Tseka.
This was announced at a media briefing convened by social development minister ‘Matebatso Doti, Head of the EU in Lesotho Ambassador Christian Manahl, Disaster Management Authority (DMA) CEO and Thabo Khasipe, and UN Resident Coordinator Salvator Niyonzima.
