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Lesotho

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Lesotho
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Latest food security 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.
Read the full analysis
More analysis reports View all Lesotho food security analysis reports Monthly reports
Key Message Update Lesotho September 2024
Key Message Update Lesotho August - October 2024
Key Message Update Lesotho July 2024
Alerts / special reports
Special Report Global June 23, 2025
Special Report Global May 1, 2025
Monthly reports
Key Message Update Lesotho September 2024
Key Message Update Lesotho August - October 2024
Key Message Update Lesotho July 2024
Alerts / special reports
Special Report Global June 23, 2025
Special Report Global May 1, 2025
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FEWS NET–style food security map of East Africa showing crisis severity by color, with conflict icons and alerts across Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya.
Acute Food Insecurity Area-Level Classifications

FEWS NET produces IPC-compatible area-level acute food insecurity classifications monthly for FEWS NET reporting countries. This data is available as spatial files, tabular files, and map images. It is a key output of FEWS NET integrated food security analysis and is reported in our Food Security Outlooks and Outlook Updates (FSO/U) and Key Message Updates (KMU).

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Acutely Food Insecure Population Estimates

These estimates reflect the total population estimated to face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse acute food insecurity outcomes, including those who are receiving humanitarian food assistance and those who are not. This tabular data is a key output of FEWS NET integrated food security analysis and is reported in our FSOs, global Food Assistance Outlook Briefs (FAOB), and semi-annual global Peak Food Assistance Needs Outlook Briefs.

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Monthly Global Price Watch reports

This report provides a global outlook on anticipated severe weather events, including maps with current weather information, short and medium range weather forecasts (up to one week), and the potential impact on crop and pasture conditions.

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Price data

Price data is available for a large number of countries and products around the world. This data can be used to track the change in price of commodities, food staples, agricultural inputs, and other products over time and is a key input to FEWS NET food security analysis and Global Price Watch reports.

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Agroclimatology resources
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Access FEWS NET’s remote sensing data and analysis of weather conditions.

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Weekly Global Weather Hazards reports

This report provides a global outlook on anticipated severe weather events, including maps with current weather information, short and medium range weather forecasts (up to one week), and the potential impact on crop and pasture conditions.

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Seasonal Monitor reports

This report provides regional updates on weather events, rainfall patterns, and associated impacts on ground conditions (e.g., cropping conditions, water availability) during a given geography’s rainy season, along with a short-term rainfall forecast.

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Agroclimatology data

FEWS NET and its partners offer a range of online tools that share insights on rainfall, temperature, vegetation, soil moisture, and surface water conditions derived from remote sensing data collection and modeling.

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Seasonal Calendar
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These calendars illustrate the monthly availability of key food and income sources, plus the starts and ends to key rainy and lean seasons. They supplement livelihoods resources and are integral to FEWS NET’s food security analysis.

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Seasonal Calendar image showing harvest and rainy periods for Lesotho
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