2,000 Saplings Donated by TİKA to the Kingdom of Lesotho on its 200th Anniversary

Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), in collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Lesotho Red Cross Society (LRCS), donated 2,000 saplings to Lesotho’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry to support environmental protection efforts in the Kingdom of Lesotho. A ceremony was held at Fatima Primary School in rural Ha Ramabanta, where 200 of the saplings were planted on the eve of Lesotho’s Independence Day.

The climate crisis has emerged as one of Africa’s greatest challenges, resulting in floods and drought-induced food crises across the continent. As part of its efforts to combat this issue, the IFRC aimed to plant 10 million trees in Africa, starting at the end of 2021 and continuing through 2030. Meanwhile, King Letsie III of Lesotho has announced a target of planting 1 million trees in his country by early 2024. To support this initiative, TİKA has provided grape, apple, peach and pine saplings, along with equipment and fertilizer, to the Lesotho Ministry of Environment and Forestry.

The 100 apple and 100 peach saplings delivered by TİKA were planted with the participation of students at Fatima Primary School in Ha Ramabanta. School Principal Matumelo Ramanamane expressed his gratitude, highlighting the project’s contribution to the health and well-being of the students. He also stated that the school would take excellent care of the saplings, which are a gift from the Republic of Türkiye.

Harry Nkhetse, President of the Lesotho Red Cross Society, emphasized the importance of long-term partnerships in the fight against climate change and expressed his commitment to strengthening cooperation with TİKA and other stakeholders.

TİKA Pretoria Program Coordinator Abdulkadir Abukan provided examples of TİKA’s projects focused on global food security and combating the climate crisis, highlighting the significance of this initiative in addressing landslides and food security in Lesotho. He expressed his gratitude to the IFRC, the Lesotho Red Cross Society and the Government of Lesotho for their cooperation.

Kopano Masilo, Head of Operations of the IFRC Pretoria Cluster, thanked TİKA for its support and emphasized the project’s importance in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. He stated that this initiative, which commemorates Lesotho’s 200^th anniversary by planting 2,000 trees, will significantly contribute to environmental sustainability and food security in the country.

Türkiye’s Ambassador to Pretoria, Ms. Ayşegül Kandaş, commended the collaboration between TİKA, the IFRC and the Lesotho Red Cross Society, noting that the tree-planting initiative will contribute to long-term food security and climate resilience in the region.

Speaking on behalf of the Government of Lesotho, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry reiterated the government’s support for environmental protection projects. He emphasized that such initiatives play a crucial role in safeguarding Lesotho’s natural resources and promoting sustainable development.

Kingdom of Lesotho

Lesotho is a landlocked country entirely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. Often referred to as the “Kingdom in the Sky” and the “Mountain Kingdom,” the country has a population of approximately 2 million. With an altitude of 1,400 meters even at its lowest point, Lesotho’s economy is primarily based on agriculture, and it faces challenges from natural disasters such as floods and landslides. The saplings donated by TİKA are expected to play a significant role in addressing these issues.