Africa-Press – Lesotho. Lesotho Red Cross Society together with the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) and Red Crescent Societies have launched phase 2 of the IFRC 10 Million Pan African Tree Planting Agenda at Rehauhetsoe Primary School in Butha-Buthe.
The IFRC 10 Million trees initiative aims to contribute to the protection, management and restoration of forests while at the same time addressing the drivers of food insecurity induced by climate change in Southern African communities.
The IFRC Southern Africa has developed responses to the climate crisis through its ambitious goal to plant 10 million trees throughout Southern Africa by 2030 and Lesotho Red Cross has committed to contribute to the goal by planting 1 million trees in Lesotho. Lesotho Red Cross with the support of Australian Red Cross donated 1500 trees to 15 schools in Butha-Buthe.
Lesotho Red Cross Society President Silas Mosuhli said the government of Lesotho, through the Ministry of Forestry, Land and Soil Conservation has, for the longest time been planting trees to control soil erosion but the biggest challenge is that, climate change has destroyed everything.
He further said as Red Cross, they will be planting trees in Butha-Buthe district with the purpose to prevent soil erosion. “The purpose is also to provide food as we will also be planting fruits trees today,” he said.
He noted that they saw it fit to start this initiative at schools where children can learn about food production. IFRC Head of Delegation for Southern Africa Michael Charles said people need to quickly adapt to climate change and revise measures to overcome its impacts.
He added that IFRC, Red Crescent Society and Red Cross Lesotho have come up with an ambitious plan to “green the whole of Africa”. “We have a plan of planting 3 billion trees by 2030 and in Southern Africa, we hope to plant 10 million trees per year and hopefully in Lesotho we plan to plant 1 million of them every year,” he said.
He indicated that it is an ambitious plan that they believe they need to do to mother earth and her babies. He informed that the initiative started in South Africa last year and were inspired to come to Lesotho in honour of His Majesty King Letsie III as the African Union Nutrition Champion.
United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator Amanda Khozi Mukwashi said the fruits and forest trees are responding to the impacts that led to deforestation, saying they will help Lesotho to reclaim the land that has been lost.
Also present to witness and officiate the tree planting launch, His Majesty King Letsie III said they are very proud of the relationship that Lesotho has with Red Cross, adding that this relationship comes a long way.
He further said the society does a great work in Lesotho, Africa and the world at large through its efforts to change people’s lives. He said this initiative raises awareness to young Basotho about fighting hunger, improving nutrition and the importance of planting trees and reducing the impact of climate change. Open publish panel
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