THE European Union (EU) and the Lesotho government will allocate M107 102 183.10 from the 11th EU Development Fund to increase social transfer to assist vulnerable populations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
news
Oct. 2, 2020
STAFF REPORTER
3 min read
EU assists vulnerable populations
EU Ambassador to Lesotho Dr Christian Manahl
This, EU Ambassador to Lesotho, Dr Christian Manahl revealed during a press briefing in Maseru on Thursday.
The initiative, he said builds on social protection systems already in place in the country, such as the Child Grant Programme that is managed by the government.
He said the National Information System for Social Assistance (NISSA) will be used to identify beneficiaries. He noted that 55 960 households, consisting of 257 416 individuals will be supported through the initiative.
He said 40 000 of those households are currently beneficiaries of the CGP.
Through the initiative, he further showed, they will receive an additional one-off top-up of M1 500.
“The effective social transfers reduce poverty and inequality and these social effects can generate important development and growth impacts in Lesotho,” he also said.
Speaking at the same event, the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator Salvator Niyonzima said economic growth in Lesotho is forecast to contract by 5.2 per cent in 2020, which will also pose a serious risk to already food insecure households.
He thanked EU for allocating the money to increase social transfers to assist vulnerable populations affected by the crisis in Lesotho, adding that social transfers play a key role alleviating poverty and inequality.
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The Minister of Social Development 'Matebatso Doti
Mr Niyonzima commended the government for its strong commitment to strengthening social protection systems to reduce poverty, deprivation, vulnerability and inequality.
He said with the Ministry of Social Development, UNICEF will transfer cash to 40 000 households that are already in the Child Grant Programme and will provide new cash transfers to other 16 000 vulnerable households.
He highlighted that the Humanitarian Department of the EU has donated additional EUR 4.4million to support the UN’s response to COVID-19 and food security in Lesotho. He said the COVID-19 has underscored the need for Lesotho to be more self-reliant in food production, as border closures have reduced food supplies and increased food prices, threatening food security for the most vulnerable.
For his part, the Disaster Management Authority (DMA) director Thabo Khasipe said they will ensure that socio-economic effects of COVID-19 are mitigated.
Mr Khasipe said the potential consequences of this pandemic will be long-lasting.
On behalf of the government, the Minister of Social Development ’Matebatso Doti thanked EU for the gesture, adding that it will improve the livelihoods of vulnerable people.
This year, the EU has made available approximately M235million to alleviate the social hardships caused in Lesotho by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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