The World Bank donated USD7.2 million to the efforts by Lesotho to curb poverty. “The proposed operation is an integral part of the Bank’s Country Assistance Strategy for Lesotho and will help improve the quality of life of the Basotho people. The operation will contribute to strengthening the business environment and promoting economic diversification leading to broad-based and employment-generating growth,” World Bank Senior Country Economist Preeti Arora said. The grants will bolster the government’s Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy, which also won the backing of the European Union, the U.K. Department for International Development, the African Development Bank and Irish Aid. (Press release: World Bank Supports Poverty Reduction in Lesotho/World Bank)