The Botha-Bothe Tsoha o Iketsetse project, aimed at assisting vulnerable families with cash payments for work, is set to commence soon. Ms. Mojabeng Mohloki, the Botha-Bothe Disaster Management Authority’s coordinator, explained the project to the District Administrator, District Council Secretary, and Town Clerk.

Ms. Mohloki stated that the initiative is designed to support vulnerable communities by providing them with cash in exchange for working on specific developmental projects.The project was initiated following a report by the Lesotho Vulnerability Assessment Committee (LVAC), which revealed that many people are currently facing hunger, with some already succumbing to it. Although the report used for planning is from 2022-2023, the committee is working diligently to ensure the next report is available to aid the government in its planning and decision-making processes.

Ms. Mohloki detailed that after selecting developmental projects, vulnerable families will choose a member to work for 10 days, earning M500 through M-Pesa and Ecocash digital payment methods.Regarding the selection of families, she explained that it would involve the community,community councillors, chiefs, and the use of NISSA lists.In March this year, the LVAC reported a significant rise in food insecurity for 2023/2024,with 580,730 individuals expected to face challenges, up from 521,000 the previous year.

This increase, detailed in the LVAC`s latest report by the Disaster Management Authority,highlights the convergence of climate change, economic pressures, and other factors contributing to the growing crisis.The rise in food insecurity represents not just statistics but real struggles for families,children, the elderly, and entire communities. Rural areas are particularly hard-hit, with 325,000 individuals grappling with the consequences of erratic rainfall. Urban areas, too, are not spared, with 255,730 individuals facing food insecurity challenges.