In his Tuesday evening speech to Congress, US President Donald Trump targeted a tiny Southern African country, Lesotho, while justifying his administration’s cuts in humanitarian aid. Trump made light of money being dispatched to a country “nobody has ever heard of,” a reference to Lesotho.

The statement was denounced by Lesotho’s Foreign Minister, Lejone Mpotjoane, who explained to NPR that it was “quite shocking for the head of state to make such a remark.” He reminded Trump that “The government of the United States has an embassy in Maseru [Lesotho’s capital],” highlighting the historical cooperation between the two countries.

1. US Has Played a Key Role in Lesotho’s HIV Battle

In his speech, Trump said the US had provided “$8 million to promote LGBTQI+ in the African nation of Lesotho, which nobody has ever heard of.” A lot of US assistance to Lesotho is, however, focused on preventing HIV.

The United Nations states that almost a quarter of the population of Lesotho lives with HIV. The US has been among the top donors to combat the epidemic in the country, supporting programs that deliver life-saving treatment and awareness campaigns.

2. A Country Encircled by South Africa

This is a special country in that it is completely surrounded by South Africa. Even though it is a sovereign nation, its economy and labor force are highly reliant on its larger neighbor.

The nation’s rugged mountainous terrain limits agricultural opportunities, making food security a constant challenge. Additionally, many Basotho people travel to South Africa for jobs, and Sesotho, Lesotho’s official language, is also one of South Africa’s 11 official languages. Interestingly, more people speak Sesotho in South Africa (4.6 million) than in Lesotho itself.

3. ‘White Gold’: Lesotho’s Most Valuable Export

Lesotho is not rich in huge natural resources, but it has one of the most precious commodities—water, known as “white gold” in the country. Lesotho sells a lot of water to South Africa through the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.

Besides water, Lesotho also sells diamonds. Lesotho has various diamond mines, including Letseng Diamond Mine, which has produced some of the largest diamonds in the world.

4. Lesotho Boasts the Highest Suicide Rate in the World

Although it is known as the “Kingdom of the Sky” because of its elevated position, Lesotho has a sad fact to face—it boasts the highest suicide rate in the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the nation has 87.5 suicides per 100,000 citizens every year, almost ten times the global rate of nine.

Experts blame this crisis on causes like unemployment, drug abuse, and a critical shortage of mental health care. The absence of economic opportunities and social support systems has rendered mental health a priority issue in the country.

5. Lesotho is a Major Exporter of Denim to the US

While many may not associate Lesotho with global fashion, the country is a key player in the clothing industry. Lesotho’s garment factories produce jeans for major American brands like Levi’s and Wrangler.

As a matter of fact, Lesotho is among the biggest sub-Saharan exporters of clothing to the United States. Chinese and Taiwanese investors own a majority of Lesotho’s textile mills, making the sector a major contributor to the nation’s economy.

Lesotho Deserves Recognition, Not Mockery

Trump’s statements regarding Lesotho have sparked debate regarding the nation’s presence on the world stage and its contributions. Though Lesotho might not make regular headlines on the international scene, it is a vital player in trade, medicine, and natural resource management.

As Lesotho’s Foreign Minister put it, the country has an enduring relationship with the United States, and therefore Trump’s statements were even more unexpected. The scandal proves how crucial international attention and understanding of small countries and their individual histories are.