UNICEF Lesotho secures support from Japan to address COVID-19 and food insecurity in vulnerable communities

Maseru, 7 February 2023 – UNICEF Lesotho has received US$ 878,574 (more than LSL 14.9 million) from the Government of Japan to support response to the immediate humanitarian needs of communities most affected by the COVID-19 epidemic and the persistent food insecurity, exacerbated by the Ukraine crisis and global inflation, in 2 districts of Lesotho – Mohale’s Hoek and Thaba Tseka – and to mitigate related adverse impacts.

The proposed interventions are meant to reduce malnutrition in vulnerable communities through strengthened information systems, provide therapeutic commodities to treat malnutrition, improve water security in households and schools through green technologies including water harvesting, support food production and hygiene in the most vulnerable rural areas and reduce incidences of violence against women and children caused by food insecurity through the provision of protection services.

This support is expected to reach and benefit 57,742 people through messages using mobile application: 3,500 children with screening and treatment of severe acute malnutrition and capacity building of 230 service providers in the country.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF Lesotho partnered with the Government of Japan to support the Government of Lesotho in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. This support has included building district vaccine stores, procurement of cold chain equipment as well as strengthening of community health information systems.

With this funding, UNICEF Lesotho will work with the Government of Lesotho to strengthen community resilience to respond, cope and recover from the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.