Livestock emergency response to El Niño induced drought in Lesotho

Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) and Ministry of Forestry, Range and Soil Conservation.

• Procured 103 veterinary kits and 35 sterilizers to equip the livestock technical staff.
• Conducted public awareness campaigns on the dangers of zoonotic diseases.
• Conducted vaccination campaigns reaching a total of 377 673 animals (cats, cattle, dogs, donkeys, goats, horses and sheep) in 19 892 households.
• Trained 29 government officials as well as NGO staff on Livestock Emergency Guidelines and Standards.
• Trained 70 area technical officers of MAFS on livestock management and animal health.
• Identified 16 communities where water tanks would be positioned.
• Provided sustainable animal watering points by constructing 16 water tanks and boreholes that would supply water to 6 000 animals.
• Sensitized livestock owners on the importance of the sustainable utilization of water resources.
• Built electrical fences and procured equipment for rangeland management in order to foster the regeneration of grazing and wetlands.
• Procured and distributed 10.1 tonnes of fodder seeds, allowing farmers to engage in fodder production and reducing the pressure on rangelands.
• Trained 254 grazing associations members in fire management techniques.