Africa-Press – Lesotho. In their endeavors to address food insecurity to the vulnerable groups, The People’s Republic of China has pledged donations of “super cereal” to the Government of Lesotho (GoL) through the
World Food Programme (WFP). This transpired at the Food Management Unit (FMU) headquarters in Maseru on Thursday this week wherein there was a handover by China to the WFP.
The Economic and Commercial Affairs Counselor at Chinese Embassy MA Guoliang said the food contribution is “life saving” to preschool students, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
“Through our partnership with WFP, China supports efforts on partnership by the Government of Lesotho to provide
adequate food and nutrition to vulnerable Basotho across the country, ensuring that they remain healthy and meet their basic needs,” he charged. The Counselor said since 2016, China has
injected to the tune of 63 million RMB Yuan, an equivalent of M150 million to counter food insecurity challenges. “We are all facing the task of combating
the virus while stabilizing the economy and protecting people’s livelihoods. We must mobilize necessary resources, stick together and do whatever it takes to protect people’s lives and health and minimize
the fallout of COVID-19. ” Guoliang further pointed out that the gesture “reflects China’s firm determination to continue to promote China-Lesotho friendship and overcome
difficulties together”. The WFP Country Director Rusiga Aurore commended the partnership between the GoL and WFP. “The partnership between WFP Lesotho and the Government of Lesotho spans over 50 years.
WFP Lesotho remains committed to supporting the Government of Lesotho’s work towards achievement of all SDGs [Sustainable Development Goals] in particular, SDG 2 – ‘Zero Hunger’.
Partnerships are more important than ever as no single organisation can address today’s complex food and nutrition security challenges alone,” she said.
The WFP Country Director further highlighted that WFP Lesotho has been receiving food aid from China since 2008. She said about 18 000 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers will benefit from the
gesture. Aurore also mentioned that the meals play a crucial role during the learning process of the children. “This contribution came at a critical time
when WFP is appealing for more resources to respond to increasing needs in the country. It will help the most vulnerable Basotho children to have a nutritious
meal. The support from China is an invaluable investment in the next-generation and the country’s overall development. . School feeding as one of the largest
safety-net programmes in the country aspires to provide meals to learners while they are in school due to food insecurity that children face, making them more
vulnerable,” Aurore said. The Principal Secretary (PS) of Basic Education Dr. Lira Khama said there is an arrangement in the Ministry that the children continue getting meals.
He said these will substitute the meal that the kids should have. He said the need for food is “obvious” saying that the country has taken the issue of food security “very seriously”.
Dr. Khama said the gesture will maintain food security for the students. The PS for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Colonel Tanki Mothae commended the WFP for the
gesture saying the food parcels come at a time when many Basotho more than ever before are living below the poverty line. He said malnutrition has been
worsened by the drought and COVID-19 pandemic, adding that malnutrition has become a “pandemic”. Colonel Mothae also applauded the WFP for its efforts to
address the food insecurity to the vulnerable. The Deputy Principal Secretary (DPS) at the Prime Minister’s Office, Cabinet Lineo Ramabele promised that the “Super Cereal”
will reach the intended recipients. “Acts of dishonesty in the distribution or during storage will not be tolerated. In partnership with the relevant state
apparatus, the Prime Minister’s Office will take appropriate measures against those who will illegally benefit from the communities meant for the poor and
the vulnerable,” she said. The 366 Metric Tonnes of food consignment is valued at US$ 1 million approximately M15 607 970. It is envisaged to assist around thirty-six
thousand recipients. At Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) the cereal will be fed at home. It is for children under age of five. The beneficiaries are based in Maseru and in the south districts: Mafeteng,
Mohale’s Hoek, Quthing, Qacha’s Nek. Also, in similar districts the pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are expected to receive these food parcels. Mokhotlong and Thaba-Tseka will also be included due to what has been said they suffer high prevalence of stunting.
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