THE United Nations (UN) World Food Programme (WFP), the world’s largest humanitarian organisation has welcomed the European Union (EU) contribution of M17 million that will help meet the needs of 14 760 people through cash transfers for a period of six months.

This follows a contribution of around M50 million in 2020 that enabled the WFP to provide assistance to 42 500 vulnerable urban food insecure population from urban areas in Maseru, Mafeteng, Quthing, Mohale’s Hoek and Qacha’s Nek.

“Following the launch of the WFP’s urban emergency assistance in 2020, there have been improvements reported in food consumption of the targeted people. We thank the European Union for continuing their support, allowing the WFP and the Government to provide the much needed assistance to vulnerable people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and climate shocks.

“This timely contribution will help WFP save lives by supporting those who are most at risk and change lives by improving the food security and nutrition of the targeted people,” WFP Country Director, Aurorer Rusig said this week.

The funding, provided by the UE’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) will be used to reach families worst affected by the impact of rising climate shocks, food prices and the prolonged effects of COVID-19 in the capital Maseru and Qacha’s Nek, including families badly affected by recent windstorms in Sehlaba-Thebe, Qacha’s Nek.

Each household will receive around M700 in cash per month, allowing them to buy food items from local markets.

According to the results of the latest Lesotho Vulnerability Report, about 470 000 people face high acute food insecurity in the current period from October 2021 to March 2022 and require humanitarian assistance action to reduce food gaps, protect and restore livelihoods as well as prevent acute malnutrition.