Mobile health services bring care to remote communities.

Reverie Zurba/USAID

Agriculture and Food Security

Through the Southern Africa Trade Hub, USAID is lowering trade barriers and facilitating regional markets for important food products. In partnership with the University of Pretoria in South Africa, we trained and provided skill building necessary to distribute agricultural resources wisely. We also addressed the development of national plans for food security. To assure farmers can produce enough food, we support irrigation projects that will bring much-needed water to food crops. We also help communities construct gardens that can survive drought and other harsh conditions. 

Democracy, Human Rights and Governance

Due to its history of struggles to maintain constitutional government, strengthening democratic institutions is a top priority. We work with Freedom House to encourage respect for democratic ideals and show how democracy and justice can benefit the whole society.

Economic Growth and Trade

We support the Southern Africa Trade Hub, a central point of access to international markets and business resources that benefits all countries in the region. In addition to supporting food security, the Trade Hub contributes to the development of clean energy infrastructure and encourages private sector investments in regional businesses. The Trade Hub also reduces the costs of doing business, improves the investment climate, reforms customs practices, and increases trade in textiles.

Global Health

The HIV/AIDS pandemic in Lesotho takes a staggering toll on all aspects of society.

Through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), we focus our work in the following four areas:

• Reducing the rate of HIV infection;
• Reducing HIV/AIDS-related deaths by providing treatment for those living with HIV and caring for orphans and vulnerable children;
• Training local health workers to deliver better HIV services; and
• Improving health management, laboratories and health supplies.

Specific interventions include efforts to strengthen clinical services, place medical volunteers where needed and streamline the flow of funds to local organizations fighting HIV/AIDS. 

Water and Sanitation

We support efforts to prepare for the effects of water shortage that climate change brings. We encourage better policies and practices that will result in sustainable management of water resources.