Africa-Press – Lesotho. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has officially launched its Second-Generation Country Strategic Plan (CSP) for Lesotho, covering the years 2024 to 2029. The plan is worth USD 94,896,929 (approximately M1.7 billion).
This launch marks a new chapter in the fight against hunger, malnutrition, and climate-related challenges in Lesotho, with a strong focus on sustainable development and national ownership.
Speaking at the event, UN Resident Coordinator Amanda Khozi Mukwashi praised the Government of Lesotho and WFP for their continued partnership in building stronger systems that serve the people.
“This occasion reaffirms our collective commitment to stand with the Government of Lesotho in its efforts to achieve food security, combat malnutrition, and build strong, sustainable systems,”
she said.
Unlike the previous plan, this new strategy puts Lesotho’s leadership at the centre. Instead of WFP directly implementing food support programmes, the focus is now on supporting the government to build its own capacity through training, system development, and long-term planning.
The new CSP is closely aligned with Lesotho’s National Strategic Development Plan II (2023–2027) and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, especially under the theme Building Resilience and Sustainability.
It aims to address Lesotho’s biggest challenges, such as climate change and variability, land degradation, chronic food insecurity and malnutrition, especially among children
The plan also promotes climate-resilient food systems, better disaster risk management, and sustainable use of natural resources.
Mukwashi congratulated WFP on completing its first strategic plan and stressed the importance of donor and private sector support for the new one.
“This is a moment of opportunity and responsibility,”she said. “We need sustained investment in people, in resilience, in innovation, and in systems that leave no one behind.”
She also highlighted WFP’s role in promoting the ONE UN approach, which encourages all UN agencies to work together and align fully with government priorities to deliver better results.
“This launch is not just about a plan. It is about our shared promise to ensure no child goes to bed hungry, to make sure every Mosotho has access to proper nutrition, and to build homegrown systems that bring real and lasting change,” said Mukwashi.
WFP Country Director and Representative Mr. Elliot Vhurumuku also spoke at the event. He noted that WFP supported the national school feeding programme by providing nutritious meals to over 50,000 pre-primary children in 2,400 pre-schools across all ten districts.
“Provided food and cash-based transfers to vulnerable populations during emergencies, especially during the EL Nino impacted population last year reaching out over 79,000 vulnerable people in 5 districts, supporting Government response,”
said Vhurumuku.
“Supported Social Behaviour change and supported formation of over 2000 nutrition clubs across the country.”
The Second-Generation Country Strategic Plan is based on four main strategic outcomes: Crisis Response and Recovery – focuses on emergency response and preparedness, Social Protection and Human Capital Development – supports school feeding and nutrition programmes, Climate Resilient Food Systems and Resilient Communities – focuses on asset creation, livelihoods, and support to smallholder farmers and Partnerships – provides on-demand services to the Government and other partners.
However, Mr. Vhurumuku pointed out that while progress has been made in mobilising resources for the plan, there is still a large funding gap.
“As of today, we are still facing a shortfall of 83% (about 76 million for remaining 4 years or 5 on average 19 million per year) a stark reminder of the scale of investment required to achieve our shared goals.”
The CSP contributes to WFP’s strategic outcomes and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 and 17, through the following four outcomes, Food-insecure and crisis-affected people in Lesotho are able to meet their essential needs before, during, and after crises, including through anticipatory actions and shock-responsive national social protection programmes.
Additionally, by 2029, national systems and programmes for nutrition security and school-based programming in Lesotho are strengthened. And populations at risk in Lesotho benefit from strengthened, climate-resilient food systems and sustainable livelihoods.
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