By Daniel Itai, Maseru, Lesotho.
(News of The South) – A Devastating drought in the southern African nation of Lesotho has left more than half a million people facing severe food shortages and tens of thousands one step away from famine.
The United Nations (UN) today said it’s appealing for US$34 million which will in turn support more than 260 000 people.
Ten districts are already severely food insecure with the rural smallholders being the worst hit.
The Government of Lesotho on 30 October declared a national disaster and issued a drought response and resilience plan.
“Most of the food insecure people are in rural areas and we estimate that at the peak of the lean season, which runs from January to March, some 71 000 people will face emergency conditions in rural districts, one step away from famine,” said Jens Laerke from the office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Increasingly, women and girls have reportedly left their rural homes to urban areas or South Africa in search of work, mostly as domestic workers trading sex for money or food.
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