Maseru – Lesotho is bracing for a sharp rise in food insecurity, with new figures showing that more than 334,000 people—about 22 percent of the rural population—will struggle to meet their basic food needs between October 2025 and March 2026.
According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, released on October 9, at least 258,000 people were already in “Crisis” (IPC Phase 3) between May and September this year. The situation is expected to worsen during the lean season, when most households run out of their own produce and rely heavily on food purchases.
Maseru, Mafeteng, and Mohale’s Hoek are currently the hardest-hit districts, but projections show that by early 2026, nine out of ten districts will fall into the Crisis category, with only Leribe remaining one step lower at “Stressed” (IPC Phase 2).
The report identifies several key drivers of this looming crisis. Late rains followed by dry spells and soaring temperatures led to widespread crop failure during the 2024/25 season. National maize production dropped by 19 percent compared to the previous year, compounding already high food and fuel prices. Outbreaks of livestock disease further eroded rural livelihoods.
“Food is available in the markets, but affordability is the real challenge,” the IPC analysis notes. “Poorer households are already employing negative coping strategies, such as selling livestock or skipping meals.”
Despite humanitarian cash assistance distributed earlier this year, the response has been deemed insufficient to reverse the situation. Unemployment has also surged to 30 percent, further reducing household purchasing power.
While levels of child malnutrition remain within acceptable thresholds nationally—around 2 percent of children under five are wasted—certain districts, including Mokhotlong, have recorded higher rates.
The IPC recommends urgent interventions to safeguard lives and livelihoods. These include immediate food assistance, expanded livestock vaccination campaigns, and strengthened social protection programmes such as child grants and pensions. It also calls for government investment in sustainable food production, early warning systems, and better disaster preparedness.
“Without timely support, the most vulnerable Basotho will face worsening hunger in the months ahead,” the report warns.
