Botswana has donated 100,000 doses of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine to Lesotho as part of efforts to strengthen regional cooperation and support neighbouring countries in combating livestock diseases.
Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr. Edwin Dikoloti, said the donation was a practical demonstration of solidarity and responsibility between the two sister nations, highlighting the importance of collective action in addressing challenges that affect the region’s livestock sector.
Dikoloti said the support goes beyond the provision of vaccines, noting that the Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI) will also assist Lesotho with their administration.
The institute will further conduct workshops for Lesotho’s veterinary officials, aimed at strengthening their capacity to effectively manage vaccination programmes and respond to future FMD outbreaks.
The minister said Botswana’s intervention reflects the country’s commitment to regional cooperation and the protection of livestock, which remains an important component of food security and livelihoods across Southern Africa.
He noted that diseases such as FMD do not respect national borders, making cooperation among countries essential in preventing their spread and protecting the region’s livestock industries.
The donation, therefore, represents more than just humanitarian assistance—it is a practical contribution towards strengthening regional animal-health systems and ensuring that neighbouring countries have the necessary tools and expertise to respond to livestock disease threats.
