Africa-Press – Lesotho. Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) through Green Climate Fund (GCF) has funded the Lesotho Climate Finance Readiness Project with US$300, 000 (M4, 440, 630) which aims to mitigate and
combat effects of climate change in the country. The GCF is a new global fund under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), created to support the efforts
of developing countries to respond to the challenge of climate change. It was established in 2010, to support initiatives aimed at limiting and reducing
Green House Gas (GHG) emission and adapt to climate change. The funding will strengthen the ability of the country to participate in different mechanisms directed to facilitate adaptation to the
effects of climate change and mitigation of GHG emissions in Lesotho and to fulfil the country’s obligations and commitment to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change. The effects of climate change have been a very critical issue in Lesotho with the United Nations (UN) also intervening through identifying districts that are mostly
affected by climate change and offering support in different forms. The forefront affected districts are Maseru, Mafeteng, Quthing and Qachas’Nek and this is where challenges such as malnutrition rate, Gender Based Violence (GBV) and poor harvest
are visible due to the prevailing climate change. Meanwhile, DBSA Group Executive Transacting Zodwa Mbele confirmed the Lesotho government submitted a request to GCF demanding support
to establish appropriate institutional frameworks that will enable the country to benefit from the available GCF direct access financing window. She showed that, developing countries are experiencing global
warming effects hence they responded positively to Lesotho’s proposal. The Minister of Energy and Meteorology Hon. Tsukutlane Au stated that they have been struggling to get funding
to address the challenges brought by climate change and therefore acknowledged the bank for finally making their dream come true. He said, the effects of climate change are affecting both developed and developing countries with people experiencing poor harvest and death as a result of climate change.