LESOTHO Vulnerability Assessment Committee Results 2015 (LVAC)

Regional Socio - Economic Context Population at risk of food and livelihoods insecurity trend Overview 2014/15 Livestock 726,000 The livestock census indicates 8% National increase in sheep and goats though Population 2,08 million people there is a significant decrease in Qacha’s Nek mainly due to livestock theft and Life expectancy years 514,000 48.2 450,000 448,000 diseases followed by Mafeteng, Mohale’s Hoek ,Thaba Tseka and Maseru. Population Growth Rate 1.0% 200,000 Human Development Index 0.486 (2013) 179,000 Cattle herd size has declined by 7% in Qacha’s Nek, Thaba Tseka, Mokhotlong Adult Literacy 75.8% (2012) followed by a marginal increase in Berea compared to reference year. Employment Rate 75.0% (2011) 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 Average GDP Growth 6.50% (2013) Increase in livestock price ranging from 15 – 86% for cattle and 15 – 60% for Economic Growth Rate (2015 expected) shoats and an increase in both prices and quantity of wool and mohair. 5.20% May 2015 to April 2016 Projected Livelihood Outcomes Inflation 5.90% (2015 expected) HIV and AIDS 23.0% Key Findings LVAC 2015 results indicates a deterioration in food security situation with Overview 2014/15 Crop Production Season population in need from 447,760 in the previous season to 463,936 this season Butha Buthe The late start of season - limited moisture at start of season affected planting- including early frost (increase in prevalence from 26% to 33%) in some places 179,000 ***NOTE: THIS RESULT IS IN THE ABSENSE OF SAFETY NETS WHICH INCLUDE • Land area planted has dropped by 19% compared to last season and 29% compared to population at risk of food Leribe SCHOOL FEEDING, CASH AND FOOD TRANSFERS AS WELL AS GRANTS BY THE reference period and livelihoods insecurity GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS. • All districts dropped compared to reference period, only Maseru, Botha-Bothe and Qacha’s Nek have not declined. Berea Mokhotlong Key Recommendations Generally cereal production has declined. Maize has decreased across all districts except Maseru 179,944 people in need of immediate assistance while 174,607 people will and Leribe. Sorghum decreased in all districts and Wheat decreased except in Leribe, Mafeteng need intensive screening to determine beneficiaries from non beneficiaries of and Quthing. different safety nets. Maseru Thaba Tseka The general poor performance of cereal production has lead to a reliance on imported cereals. Targeting of farmers that were adversely affected by the poor weather conditions in the season 2014/15 District Maize Sorghum Wheat Mafeteng Intensify resilience building by concentrating on increasing capacity of communi- Qacha's Nek -92% -89% -93% ties to withstand effects of hazards and this should be linked to the resilience Mohale's Hoek -75% -80% -88% Qacha's Nek framework currently under development Mohale's Hoek Maseru 30% -64% -82% Population (Male & Female)

Mafeteng -72% -92% Administrative System Source: Landscan 2010 Districts = 10 0.4% 80 + 0.6% Quthing -67% -75% 81% Constituencies = 81 Quthing Community Councils = 129 0.6% 75 -79 0.6% Berea -53% -84% No. Beneficiaries main crop areas 0.7% 70 - 74 0.7% Butha Buthe -10% -57% -51% NOTE: Assessment 0 - 1060 was conducted in rural 1070 - 8720 0.9% 65 - 69 0.8% areas, therefore food 8730 - 20900 Thaba Tseka -77% -90% -80% insecure figures are for 1.1% 60 - 64 1.0% rural areas only. 21000 - 76200 Leribe 4% -81% 179% 1.4% 55 - 59 1.2% Percentage of children under age 5 classified as MALE FEMALE Malnutrition Rates (%) 2013/14 1.7% 50 - 54 1.6% Mokhotlong -43% -58% -55% malnourished - Lesotho Stunting Underweight Wasting 1.8% 45 - 49 1.8% -5.8 40 - 44 Overview 2014/15 Marketing Year Stunting 45.4 2.0% 2.0% 41.7 Worsening purchasing power in all districts due to increase in staple food prices and/or decrease 38.2 39.2 2.5% 35 - 39 2.5% in income amounts. -2.9 4.0% 30 - 34 4.2% Underweight 33 33.2 30.7 5.0% 25 - 29 5.7% Price increased from M3 to M6.90 for 1kg (for 12.5kg from M37.50 during baseline to 19.8 15.8 17.9 15.4 5.1% 20 - 24 5.8% M ). Price has doubled. 13.8 13.2 86.26 10.3 -1 5.1% 15 - 19 5.4% Wasting 5.4 4.3 2.4 3.2 2.3 3.8 2.8 With unstable incomes food and non food access among poorer households is likely to be a 5.2% 10 - 14 5.3% challenge as the year progresses -10 0 10 20 30 40 5.6% 5 - 9 5.6% % Change 2014 2009 1992 2000 2002 2004 2007 2009 2014 6.1% 0 - 4 6.0%

Sources: SADC RVAA, LVACs, LandScan2010, CSO, UNDP-HDR, UNICEF, WORLD BANK, Compiled by OCHA- July 2014 The Boundaries and names on these maps dont imply endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations