MASERU, Lesotho — An estimated 500,000 people are threatened with hunger in Lesotho, a quarter of the mountain kingdom's population, according to the United Nations, which is appealing to the international community for help. A drought last year and patchy rains this year have contributed to poor harvests that have left large parts of the rural population without adequate food, said U.N. resident coordinator Salvator Niyonzima. The European Union on Monday announced aid worth 1.5 million euros ($1.6 million) but much more is needed. An estimated $74 million is needed to get adequate food for the country, according to an appeal launched last year by the Lesotho government when it declared the shortage of food an emergency.

Source: International New York Times February 17, 2020 17:15 UTC