The Disaster Management Authority (DMA) Deputy CEO, Mrs ‘Makhotso Mahosi says DMA will assist about 388 vulnerable families affected by heavy rainfall and the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said this when addressing the media at DMA premises on Wednesday.
Mrs. Mahosi said the Lesotho Vulnerability Assessment Committee recommended (LVAC) DMA to buy corn foods from Basotho in order to help vulnerable families and also to encourage farmers during the trying times.
She stressed that the 2021/2022 season DMA was able to buy 875t of maize and 317t of beans from farmers countrywide.
She noted that LVAC is formed by various government ministries and other international government partners saying DMA is a major shareholder.
She said the recommendation was invented in 2020 where by LVAC research shows that a large population of Basotho is need of food due to COVID-19, saying the most vulnerable districts from January to March 2022 are Maseru, Berea, Mafeteng, Qhuting, Thaba-Tseka, Mokhotlong and Qacha’s Nek.
Mrs. Mahosi said this vulnerability is the results of loss of jobs more especially from South Africa due to COVID-19 and rapidly increasing prices of groceries.
When addressing the issue of heavy rainfalls, she said her office has received reports of damaged bridges, homes, schools, businesses, electricity supply channels and farm production and sadly loss of lives due to heavy rainfall since.
She noted that DMA is working with relevant stakeholders to address the issue as to combat the disaster that can put lives at risk.
She further noted that DMA has conducted a study on damage caused by heavy rainfalls in the districts and they are working together with DMA Sector Working Groups to come up with strategies that will respond to the consequences caused by heavy rainfall.
In conclusion she noted that prevention and control of disasters is their priority as DMA.
By staff Repoerter: ‘Maphoka Likotsi