THE World Food Programme (WFP) Lesotho yesterday received a M25 million grant from Japan to support the Lesotho’s school feeding programme. The donation is set to assist 50 000 students for the next 180 days. Japanese Ambassador Shigeru Ushio said the government of Japan had decided to provide essential food items that include 100 tons of canned fish, 126 tons of rice, and 220 tons of maize-meal.
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Ushio said the food and nutrition assistance will go towards the students over the next year and a half.
“Japan has continuously provided food aid to Lesotho in cooperation with the WFP since 2014 in order to alleviate the food shortage affecting vulnerable children,” he said.
Thuto Ntšekhe-Mokhehle, the CEO for Primary Education, who spoke on behalf of the Ministry of Education, said the programme is crucial in addressing issues like stunting, malnutrition and low enrolment rates in pre and primary schools.
Ntšekhe-Mokhehle said the school feeding programme is an investment and evidence that shows that better nutrition enhances cognitive development and improves school attendance.
Ntšekhe-Mokhehle explained that many children rely on school meals and for some children this would be their only nutritious meal in a day.
“This will provide meals for 50 000 children over 180 school days,” she said.
The WFP country director, Aurore Rusiga, said the assistance from Japan comes at a critical time given that most people are food insecure and need help.
Rusiga said the assessment findings indicate that the number of insecure people is about 700 000, which is close to a third of Lesotho’s population.
Of these, 400 000 are said to be individuals in rural areas and more than 290 000 individuals are in urban areas, according to the Lesotho Vulnerability Assessment Report which was released this week.
Nkheli Liphoto
