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reliefweb - 10 days ago

Lesotho, Africa | Drought-Induced Food Insecurity - Emergency Appeal Operational Strategy (Appeal № MDRLS008)

Country: Lesotho Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Please refer to the attached file. DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT Lesotho is experiencing a severe drought and food insecurity due to consecutive La Niña and El Niño events from 2021 to 2023. The 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 rainfall seasons, marked by mild to moderate La Niña events, led to excessive rainfall and below-average crop production. The 2023/2024 El Niño further exacerbated the situation with dry conditions and heatwaves, significantly impacting crop yields. Despite increased planting efforts in 2023/2024, harvests remained below average, causing maize prices to rise and greater market dependency. This crisis has worsened into the 2024/2025 season, leaving an estimated 699,049 people facing food insecurity and in need of 59,549 tons of food, valued at LSL (Lesotho Lotti) 1,149,302,744. The current El Niño phenomenon coincided with the country’s rainy season and the start of the agricultural year, complicating the initiation of planting activities for the summer cropping season. In mid-December 2023, Lesotho experienced one of its first significant rainfalls of the season, which, while providing much needed precipitation, also led to heavy rains and storms that caused waterlogging in some already planted crops. The effects of this event were particularly severe in various livelihood zones, with the Southern Lowlands and Senqu River Valley suffering the most. Crop performance: National maize production decreased by about 52 per cent from the previous year, with current yields expected to last only three months in most regions. This decline caused food prices to rise, worsening food access challenges, especially for vulnerable households. Additionally, substitute food commodities like sorghum production have also declined by over 86 per cent in the 2023/24 period, further intensifying food insecurity and making it harder for households to find alternative options. Price shocks: The persistently high prices of stable foods compared to the previous year have impacted household purchasing power. According to the Lesotho Flour Mills update, the price of maize meal has increased by 42 per cent from March to May 2024, making it increasingly difficult for poor households to afford essential foods and to meet their other basic needs. Livestock disease outbreak: From January to March 2024, an outbreak of blue tongue (livestock disease), caused by high temperatures and insufficient rainfall, significantly harmed livestock health and productivity. This further strained household resources and livelihoods in the country.


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