Lesoto

Situation Overview

The 2018/19 planting season was characterised by late onset of rains and extreme hot temperatures. The planting period coincided, with El Nino induced dry conditions. The models predicted 90% chances of El Nino by midNovember. As a result, different sectors were negatively impacted, maize production declined by 78% compared to previous year. [...]

The Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) conducted by Lesotho vulnerability assessment in June 2019 indicated that in May to September 24% of the rural population (around 350,000) were in phase 3+- emergency food security situation- IPC. Districts of Mohale’s Hoek, Quthing, ThabaTseka, Qacha’s Nek and Maseru are in crisis (IPC Phase 3). This indicated a significant deterioration when all districts were in phase 2 in the same period in the previous year. The food security situation is expected to deteriorate further. In October 2019 to March 2020 period, 30% of the rural population (430,000) is expected to be food insecure with all ten districts in phase 3+. (Lesotho: Drought Situation Update 02 -as of 8 October 2019)