Humanitarian crisis in Lesotho grows
Lesotho is currently faced with a double humanitarian crisis. The World Food Programme (WFP) speaks of a "total failure" of this year's agricultural season, and, according to official government figures, the HIV prevalence rate among adult Basotho has reached 31 percent. It is becoming increasingly clear that the small mountain kingdom of Lesotho is facing its most serious humanitarian crisis in decades. The rising AIDS numbers, extreme poverty and drought since 2001, and lack of international assistance, have taken the situation well beyond the limits of resistance of its people. A recent release from the Lesotho Meteorological Services indicated that the agricultural season faces total failure. "Drought-like conditions have also had a negative affect on water supplies in dams, wells and rivers", WFP reports from Lesotho. Villagers in the normally fertile valleys of Lesotho are seeing their cattle die due to lack of water. Agricultural production is going to be minimal, even less than last year. Despite rains in December 2003 and January this year, "the country continues to face serious drought conditions and increased vulnerability at the household level" the UN food agency warns. At least 600,000 people will require food aid this season, according to WFP, but the numbers are bound to rise even more. More and more Basotho now rely on the little foreign food donations they get to survive. Food rations are however too small and are not reaching the people continuously due to lack of donations to the WFP. The UN agency has only received 15 percent of the funds it needs to assist the victims of the regional drought. Around one third of the people in need of aid are additionally weakened by the HIV-AIDS pandemic, which has stricken the Kingdom especially hard. The disease is already causing the number of orphans to rise and the physical strength of potential workers to decrease. Faced by the growing humanitarian crisis, the Maseru government has asked for international help.