OPEC DONATES FOOD TO LESOTHO

The Director for information and Economic Services of a giant Austrian Oil Company OPEC FUND, Dr. Edwin Gutierrez, is on a short visit in Lesotho. During his visit, he took a conducted tour at Qoaling Filter Clinic on
Monday to inspect the distribution process of the corn Soya blend donated to Lesotho by his company.

During the tour, Dr. Edwin Gutierrez explained that OPEC has donated 288 bags of corn Soya blend to Lesotho and this food is distributed to  three categories of  beneficiaries who are  HIV/AIDS patients, people suffering from TB and  malnourished children under five years of age.

Dr. Gutierrrez further explained that one of the reasons for his trip to Qoaling Filter Clinic was to meet  the beneficiaries that are receiving the corn Soya blend, and to see how the distribution is being done. Dr. Gutierrez who had a chance to interact with one of the beneficiaries said he was very encouraged to hear from one the beneficiaries, Mrs.'Madamane Damane that this corn Soya blend has provided her enough strength as a patient of  HIV?AIDS.

Mrs. Damane is one of the people who have been receiving the corn Soya blend for the past four months and has testified that the blend has been helpful to them and expressed her gratitude to the OPEC for providing them with this food donation.

The Director of the  Disaster Management Authority Dr. Ntalenyane Lesoetsa said he is happy that OPEC has donated food to Lesotho, adding that he is hopeful that OPEC as a big donor would not only assist Lesotho in terms of food donations, but also in community based projects. The Regional Director of World Food Programme, Mrs. Deborah Saidy, also accompanied Dr. Gutierrez during his trip to Qoaling Hospital. Other countries assisted by OPEC within the region of Africa include Mozambique, Malawi, Eritrea, Zimbabwe and several others hit by the recent spate of  famine.

1st September 2003