Summary of WFP Assistance
Country Programme (CP 200369)
Starting in January 2013, WFP has been implementing a five year Country Programme, comprising of three components, namely Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) and Nutrition and HIV. Together, through all components WFP reached 113,333 people in 2015.
Under DRR activities, WFP is assisting the Government of Lesotho in reducing the impact of risks posed by climatic hazards on vulnerable communities. Through cash and food transfer schemes, WFP is contributing to building the ability of men and women to withstand shocks, improve livelihoods and achieve food security. By supporting increased food production, WFP contributes to the eradication of hunger and poverty. In 2015, 20,250 people were assisted.
Through ECCD in 2015, 50,049 students in 2,053 preschools were given a morning super cereal porridge (corn soya blend) and an afternoon maize meal and pulses. The meals aimed to encourage enrolment of boys and girls, improve preparedness for primary education, enhance learning capacity and reduce undernutrition.
To support the prevention of malnutrition in children under the age of five and malnourishment in pregnant and nursing mothers, TB and HIV patients, WFP provided specialised nutritious food to 43,034 people through clinics and preschools.
The Country Programme contributes to the long-term objectives of Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3 and 13; and is in line with all four WFP Strategic Objectives.
School Meals Programme (TF 200771)
Through a School Meals Programme, WFP is working with the Government of Lesotho in providing two meals per day to 250,000 students in 1,173 primary schools. The food assistance aims to improve enrolment of boys and girls, enhance learning capacity and reduce poverty and malnutrition. The provision of a morning porridge and a maize meal with either fish or pulses supports the government’s education strategy of free and compulsory primary education in public schools; and contributes towards Lesotho’s efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 4 – poverty eradication and the achievement of universal, quality education.