According to the latest results of an IPC Acute Food Insecurity analysis, an estimated of 229,000 people representing 15% of the population in rural areas of Lesotho are classified in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) in the current period from July to September 2022, and will require urgent action to reduce food gaps, protect and restore livelihoods and prevent acute malnutrition. Six out of 10 analyzed districts of the country have been classified in IPC Phase 2 (Stressed) in the current period while four districts are classified in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis).

From October 2022 to March 2023, an estimated 320,000 people representing 22% of the population in rural areas of Lesotho are projected to be in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis). Eight of the analyzed districts are projected to be in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis). At a country level and with regards to the weather condition itself, seasonal rainfall came with no delay. However, throughout the rainy season most areas experienced excessive amounts of rain, which destroyed some crops and caused waterlogging in most parts of the country. As a result, Lesotho registered low crop production compared to the previous year (2021) and the most recent five-year average.

1. Urgent action is required to save lives, reduce food consumption gaps and protect livelihoods of all vulnerable people in Crisis (IPC Phase 3).
2. Provision of agricultural inputs to farming households that cannot afford access to them.
3. Government to continue with the initiative of purchase of grains and beans from local producers to promote market opportunities for farmers who have surplus from own produce.
4. Reduction of food consumption gaps by improving access to food through appropriate modalities.
5. Protection of livelihood assets and production systems through livestock vaccination campaigns and fodder production interventions.
6. Promotion of resilience building initiatives, such as climate-smart agriculture.
7. Returnee migrants should be prioritized for support to establish alternative livelihoods and should be included in social relief programmes.
8. Livelihood recovery programmes (i.e. agricultural inputs) for populations in Stressed (IPC Phase 2).
9. Development of complementarity programmes (i.e. backyard gardening inputs for poor and very poor households).
10. Capacity building programmes for populations in Stressed (IPC Phase 2) and higher.
11. Food price subsidy intervention should be prioritized and well targeted.
12. The government to continue implementing agricultural inputs subsidies to include the short seasoned varieties, and supply be on time to facilitate timely planting.
13. The National Strategic Resilience framework should be fully operationalised to ensure that households diversify their livelihoods to withstand future shocks.
14. Intensify nutrition education with more emphasis of feeding practices inclusive of exclusive and recommended duration of breastfeeding.