His Majesty King Letsie III has applauded the tree planting initiative by the Lesotho Red Cross Society in partnership with the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) at phase II of the IFRC Million Pan African Tree Planting Agenda at Rehauhetsoe Primary school Makhoakhoeng in Buthe- Buthe on Tuesday.
During phase II of the IFRC Million Pan African Tree Planting Agenda, the Lesotho Red Cross with the support of the Australia Red Cross, distributed about 1500 trees to 15 schools in Butha- Buthe.
Speaking at the event, His Majesty commended the Lesotho Red Cross for the tree planting initiative saying he is proud of these efforts as this is important to Lesotho and her people, Africa and the world at large.
He added that through this initiative they are trying to combat the effects of climate change and they will succeed.
“It is with the hope that the trees planted will grow to benefit school, children, and community,” he said.
His Majesty remarked that with this tree planting initiative, the battle against malnutrition and hunger can be defeated and to mitigate the effects of climate change, which is causing havoc and deforestation.
Addressing students at the event, he said children now understand climate change and it is high time their knowledge is reinforced and developed for they should go and put it to use.
He urged them to protect and take good care of the trees for they will benefit in the future.
“This is your work, not the outsiders,” he stressed.
Also speaking, the Minister of Forestry and Land Reclamation, Mr. Motlohi Maliehe said since they planting pine trees now, fruit trees will be planted around July.
He said most of the fields are not put to use, hence urged the community to use the fields for planting fruit trees.
The Head of Country Cluster for Southern Africa at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies,  Dr Michael Charles pointed out that climate change is here hence the world has to find ways to deal with it and win the challenges brought by it.
Dr Charles said the initiative was implemented in South Africa last year, saying their ambitious plan is to plant 1 million trees in every country.
He said through the initiative, they are promoting community ownership as Red Cross is the facilitator in this regard.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms. Amanda Mukwashi said trees respond to the negative impact of climate change, urging the community to look at trees as part of their livelihood and for food consumption.
Also speaking, Lesotho Red Cross representative, Mr. Silas Mosuhli said the purpose of planting the trees is to prevent soil erosion and produce fruits.
Mr. Mosuhli noted that the fact that His Majesty is appointed African Nutrition Champion, Red Cross Lesotho has decided to implement the initiative starting from the primary level.
He said they appreciate the support from the government of Lesotho through different ministries.
The #IFRC 10MilionTrees initiative aims to contribute to the protection, management and restoration of forests while at the same time addressing the drivers of food security induced by climate change in southern African communities.
Source: LENA 13/04/2020