Highlights
The number of people in need of assistance increased compared to last year and it is projected to be around 18% of the rural population and 9.2% of the urban population during the next lean season (Sept 2018 - Feb 2019).
The total cereal forecast foresees a drastic reduction (-65%) compared to last year's production, mainly due to late onset of rains and late planting, below-normal rainfall, unseasonal snowfall, extreme temperatures, flash floods and hailstorms experienced in the period September 2017 - March 2018.
Staple price decreased by 33% compared to last year, but remained 200% higher compared to the reference year (2008/09).
In the current period (July-August 2018), all the districts are classified in IPC Phase 2 (Stressed) while in the projected period (Sept 2018 to Feb 2019), Mohale's Hoek, Qacha's Nek and Quthing are classified in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) while the other districts will remain in IPC Phase 2 (Stressed).
The majority of households have adequate water supply through communal taps (52%), private borehole (29%), protected springs (5%) and unprotected sources (8%). Moreover, 83% of households are using improved sanitation, showing an increase from the previous year. Nonetheless, some of the districts have a high percentage of households using unprotected water sources.
For children under 5 years of age, the national prevalence of stunting is 35% while the prevalence of wasting is 3.5%.