Lesotho

Remotely monitored country
Lesotho
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Latest analysis
Remote Monitoring Report October 2024 Low food access driving Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes until 2025 harvest Download the report
  • Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are expected between October 2024 to March 2025 in the south, southwest, and some eastern parts of Lesotho, including areas of high concern (Mafeteng, Mohale’s Hoek, Maseru, Quthing, and Qacha’s Nek districts). Many households depleted their food stocks from the 2024 harvest atypically early (July/August) and are expected to have below-average purchasing capacity constrained by above-average staple food prices and below-average incomes. Poor households who face difficulties accessing food and income are engaging in Crisis coping strategies such as selling productive assets, consuming retained seed stocks, and reducing non-food expenditures (e.g., purchase of agricultural inputs), which may limit households’ future coping capacity. As the harvest becomes available in April/May, Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes are expected to emerge.
  • Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes are expected in the rest of the country as poor households will be able to meet food needs from a combination of purchases and limited supplies of previously harvested stocks. However, most will likely continue to have difficulty meeting their non-food needs.
  • FEWS NET projects 250,000 to 499,999 people to be in need of humanitarian food assistance at the height of the lean season period around February/March, with increased populations in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) expected in southern, southwestern, and some eastern areas. Despite available seasonal agricultural labor, household income is expected to remain below average due to high competition, low wage rates, and reduced capacity for middle and better-off households to hire and pay wages.  
  • The 2024/25 season is expected to be average, including average rainfall, area planted, crop development, and harvest. The start of the main harvest in April 2025 is expected to drive significant improvements in food consumption.
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More analysis View all Lesotho analysis Food security
Key Message Update Lesotho September 2024
Key Message Update Lesotho August 2024
Key Message Update Lesotho July 2024
Agroclimatology
Global Weather Hazards Global February 17, 2023 - February 23, 2023
Global Weather Hazards Global February 10, 2023 - February 16, 2023
Global Weather Hazards Global February 10, 2023 - February 16, 2023
Markets & trade
Supply and Market Outlook Southern Africa October 1, 2023
Price Watch Global February 28, 2023
Price Watch Global January 31, 2023
Alerts / Special Reports
Alert Southern Africa November 8, 2023
Special Report Southern Africa January 6, 2021
Special Report Southern Africa March 18, 2016
Food security
Key Message Update Lesotho September 2024
Key Message Update Lesotho August 2024
Key Message Update Lesotho July 2024
Agroclimatology
Global Weather Hazards Global February 17, 2023 - February 23, 2023
Global Weather Hazards Global February 10, 2023 - February 16, 2023
Global Weather Hazards Global February 10, 2023 - February 16, 2023
Markets & trade
Supply and Market Outlook Southern Africa October 1, 2023
Price Watch Global February 28, 2023
Price Watch Global January 31, 2023
Alerts / Special Reports
Alert Southern Africa November 8, 2023
Special Report Southern Africa January 6, 2021
Special Report Southern Africa March 18, 2016
Food Security Classification data View all Lesotho Food Security Classification data
Lesotho Acute Food Insecurity Classification (October 2023 - May 2024)

Forward-looking analysis representing the most likely food security outcomes for the near term (October 2023 - January 2024) and medium term (February 2024 - May 2024) periods.

 Lesotho Acute Food Insecurity Classification Shapefile October 2023 (.zip) (ZIP) Lesotho Acute Food Insecurity Classification October 2023 (.geojson) (GeoJSON) Near Term Projection: October 2023 - January 2024 (.png) (PNG) Medium Term Projection: February 2024 - May 2024 (.png) (PNG) Near Term Projection: October 2023 - January 2024 (.kml) (KML) Medium Term Projection: February 2024 - May 2024 (.kml) (KML) Lesotho Acute Food Insecurity Classification (October 2024 - May 2025)

Forward-looking analysis representing the most likely food security outcomes for the near term (October 2024 - January 2025) and medium term (February 2025 - May 2025) periods.

 Lesotho Acute Food Insecurity Classification Shapefile October 2024 (.zip) (ZIP) Lesotho Acute Food Insecurity Classification October 2024 (.geojson) (GeoJSON) Near Term Projection: October 2024 - January 2025 (.png) (PNG) Medium Term Projection: February 2025 - May 2025 (.png) (PNG) Near Term Projection: October 2024 - January 2025 (.kml) (KML) Medium Term Projection: February 2025 - May 2025 (.kml) (KML) Lesotho Acute Food Insecurity Classification (February 2022 - September 2022)

Forward-looking analysis representing the most likely food security outcomes for the near term (February 2022 - May 2022) and medium term (June 2022 - September 2022) periods.

 Lesotho Acute Food Insecurity Classification Shapefile February 2022 (.zip) (ZIP) Lesotho Acute Food Insecurity Classification February 2022 (.geojson) (GeoJSON) Near Term Projection: February 2022 - May 2022 (.png) (PNG) Medium Term Projection: June 2022 - September 2022 (.png) (PNG) Near Term Projection: February 2022 - May 2022 (.kml) (KML) Medium Term Projection: June 2022 - September 2022 (.kml) (KML)
Seasonal Calendar

The Seasonal Calendar shows the annual and cyclical patterns of key food and income sources in a country throughout the typical year.
Seasonal Calendar image showing harvest and rainy periods for Lesotho
Satellite-derived products map

USGS-provided data and imagery supports FEWS NET's monitoring efforts of weather and climate throughout the world.

View all satellite-derived products
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