The World Food Programme (WFP) Coordinator, Mr. James Bedell says his organization is experiencing a serious shortage of food donations especially cereals which are supplied to vulnerable communities in the country.

Addressing the District Disaster Management Team (DDMT) at the meeting held at the District Administration’s office on Wednesday, Mr. Bedell attributed the shortage to less supply received from donor countries.

“Lesotho is not getting contributions from donors as expected,” he explained.

He said they are left with one-month stock of maize meal at WFP stores countrywide while other commodities such as pulses, vegetable oil and corn Soya blend will be available for some months.

Mr. Bedell stated that following discussion with World Vision; it has offered to distribute rice to the beneficiaries for one month of October while the remaining maize meal will be distributed in November.

He commented that the food shortage is a concern to his organization especially as it assists the most vulnerable communities who are dependent on food donation. He therefore appealed to the DDMT members to alert the beneficiaries about the food situation.

WFP is currently assisting about 10 000 beneficiaries categorized as orphaned and vulnerable children, chronically ill and TB patients in the district with food donations.

Each beneficiary receives 12kg maize meal, 1.8kg pulses and 0.6kg vegetable oil per month.

SOURCE: LENA