Lesotho

BACKGROUND

A small and mountainous country, landlocked entirely by South Africa, Lesotho experiences a range of climatic hazards each year. It is severely affected by drought and consequently food insecurity. The country also experiences heavy snowfall and cold waves, which affect vulnerable highland communities and prevent humanitarian actors from accessing households in need of assistance. The population also suffers from hailstorms, strong winds, localized floods, and early frost.

Lesotho is a constitutional monarchy with a population of 2.2 million, 75 percent of whom live in rural areas. The top five INFORM risk indicators are under-five mortality rate; people affected by drought; income inequality; the adult prevalence of HIV/AIDS; and tuberculosis.

For a data-driven overview of Lesotho's risk profile, refer to the INFORM Risk Index

HAZARDS COVERED BY ANTICIPATION

Cold waves | Drought

ACTIVATIONS

2024: Drought

Photo: Matthew Carter / IFRC

Read more

Project Page August 30, 2023

Early Action

Forecast-based Financing: Closing the gap between disaster preparedness and emergency relief in Southern Africa - Lesotho

Lesotho Red Cross Society (LRCS) started the implementation of FbF in early 2020 as part of the German Red Cross supported FbF Southern Africa Project (FbF-SAP). A first early action protocol (EAP) …

Learn more
News June 03, 2025

Cash & Voucher, Evidence, Lessons Learnt, M&E

WFP’s updated evidence base on anticipatory action 2025: lessons from 16 studies across 12 countries

WFP recently published an updated evidence base on anticipatory action. This synthesis of 16 studies provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of anticipatory action, as well as lessons …

Learn more
Blog February 09, 2023

Dialogue Platform, Food Insecurity

Coordination, localization and funding: three steps towards better anticipatory humanitarian action

Learn more
EAP June 05, 2025

Early Action

EAP: Lesotho - Drought

This document sets out the anticipatory actions that the Lesotho Red Cross Society will take ahead of forecasted droughts. It also sets out the triggers for activating this framework and the …

Download file
Report May 05, 2025

Cash & Voucher, Evidence, Lessons Learnt

WFP’s evidence base on Anticipatory Action 2015-2024

This report reflects World Food Programme’s (WFP) commitment to evidence-based, result-oriented anticipatory action programmes that prioritize transparency and accountability. It reviews the …

Download file
Evaluation January 23, 2025

Cash & Voucher, Early Action, Lessons Learnt

Anticipating the impact of drought in Lesotho

In July 2023, a severe, El Niño-induced drought was forecast for the 2023-24 rain season. The set triggers for the Lesotho drought Anticipatory Action Plan (AAP) were activated, having reached the …

Download file
Report December 12, 2024

Dialogue Platform, Networks & Conferences

Report from the 2nd Southern Africa Dialogue Platform

This report summarizes the main outcomes and discussions from the 2nd Southern Africa Dialogue Platform, which took place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 13 to 15 August 2024.

Download file
Presentation December 10, 2024

Forecast, Health

Southern Africa Seasonal Outlook Dec-Feb 2024-2025

This presentation contains climate information for southern Africa for the December–January–February (DJF) period 2024/25, with a focus on what this outlook means in terms of health impacts.

Download file
EAP October 17, 2024

Early Action

EAP: Lesotho - Cold wave

This document sets out the anticipatory actions that the Lesotho Red Cross Society will take ahead of forecasted cold waves. It also sets out the triggers for activating this framework and the …

Download file
Other December 23, 2022

Early Action

EAP summary for Drought in Lesotho

Download file
Other December 23, 2022

Cash & Voucher, Early Action, Early Warning System

Early Action Protocol Summary: Lesotho - Drought

This document summarizes the EAP for Drought in Lesotho, setting out the preagreed financing available, the triggers for activation, and the early actions that will take place if those triggers are …

Download file
Feasibility Study January 26, 2022

Social Protection

Investigating the links between cash-based shock-responsive social protection and anticipatory actions for drought in Lesotho

A study undertaken as part of the scoping research for drought Forecast-based Financing

Download file