Quthing, June 24 – A one-day rapid baseline assessment on nutrition was conducted in four villages under Telle and Tosing Community Councils in Quthing on Monday.

The assessment was carried out by the Quthing District Nutrition Team and organised by the Lesotho Red Cross Society (LRCS) Quthing Division in collaboration with the District Food and Nutrition Coordinating Office.

The exercise forms part of preparations for the implementation of a three-month project aimed at strengthening nutrition messaging through Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) as well as Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP).

Speaking in an interview, LRCS Health Care and Social Development Manager, Ms. Moluoane Ramakhula, said information gathered during the assessment will help improve nutrition-related communication and community engagement activities.

She said the initiative is expected to enhance support for children, caregivers, pregnant women and nursing mothers through improved nutrition awareness.

Ms. Ramakhula also stressed the importance of involving men in child health care and nutrition, saying many men lack practical knowledge on how to support the nutritional needs of children.

She noted that strengthening men's participation in nutrition programmes is essential for improving community involvement and achieving positive health outcomes.

The assessment seeks to establish baseline data on nutrition knowledge, attitudes and practices, communication preferences as well as feedback mechanisms among community members.

Ms. Ramakhula said RCCE plays an important role in translating nutrition information into practical actions that communities can understand and trust.

She added that the approach enables families to make informed dietary choices, addresses harmful misconceptions and ensures that interventions respect local cultural practices.

The assessment used a mixed-methods approach, including semi-structured interviews with nutrition club members, focus group discussions and key informant interviews with community leaders, nutrition representatives and Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) teachers.

The exercise was conducted at Raohang and Ha-Jobo villages in Telle Community Council as well as Borokhong and Ha-Robi villages in Tosing Community Council.

Similar assessments have already been conducted in Mafeteng and Mohale's Hoek districts, while further assessments are planned for Qacha's Nek, Thaba-Tseka and Leribe.

Dissemination of nutrition and health information under RCCE activities is expected to begin next month.

The initiative is supported by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and forms part of the broader Ntlafatsa Bana Nutrition Project led by the Ministry of Social Development and its partners to combat malnutrition across the country.

The project integrates several interventions, including cash transfers, nutrition and food security programmes, water and sanitation services, child birth registration and sustainable energy solutions.