Strengthening national and community capacities for effective disaster preparedness and crisis response in Lesotho

Press Release

Strengthening National and Community Capacities for effective Disaster Preparedness and Crisis Response in Lesotho incl. Covid-19 in Lesotho

May 19, 2023 – World Vision International Lesotho is hosting a high-level roundtable discussion on Humanitarian Advocacy and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management to be held on May 22, 2023, at Lancers Inn Hotel. This round table discussion is intended to create a platform for all relevant stakeholders to participate and contribute to interactive dialogues on the community representative findings on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM), Education in Emergencies and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA).

“Climate change unfortunately is happening right now, and it is behind a lot of disaster… Climate Action must be taken at all levels and all ages.”

– Mario Varenti- EU Head of Cooperation

Helping children, families and communities survive crisis.

World Vision believes in a world where children, families and communities are safe from disaster. When disaster strikes, whether natural or manmade, we want communities to be better prepared and adequately equipped to respond to and bounce back from all kinds of shocks caused by disaster.

World Vision International Lesotho (WVIL) is a member of World Vision International, a global Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities to overcome poverty and injustice. WVIL has been operational since 1987 assisting communities with various interventions spanning across health & nutrition, education, child protection, child participation & safeguarding, water, sanitation & hygiene, livelihoods & resilience, advocacy and justice for children.

Disaster Risk Reduction Phase III

In 2020 WVIL conducted a Rapid Needs Assessment to gather the most up-to-date information on the scale and scope of disaster preparedness and risk reduction needs for men, women, girls and boys, including those with disabilities in highland areas of Lesotho not previously reached by Disaster Risk Reduction programming. The assessment focused on the hardest to reach areas of Leribe, Mokhotlong and Thaba-Tseka, assessing how contextual changes have impacted their vulnerability as well as their disaster preparedness. The results evidenced that these areas are not prepared to mitigate and respond to disasters rendering them vulnerable shocks resulting from disasters.

In June 2021, towards ensuring that vulnerable communities in the hardest to reach places in Lesotho are prepared for and adequately equipped to respond to and bounce back from shocks when a disaster strikes, WVIL commenced implementation through the European Union Humanitarian Aid funded project “Strengthening National and Community Capacities for effective Disaster Preparedness and Crisis Response in Lesotho incl. Covid-19 in Lesotho” in the five (5) rural councils of Mokhotlong, Thaba Tseka, and Leribe.

The Round Table

Considering the ongoing climate change as well as erratic and sporadic weather patterns Lesotho is experiencing, it important that Lesotho prepares and plans for any response and recovery for all.  Through this round table discussion all stakeholders can collectively make sustainable contributions towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 – Climate Action towards encouraging urgent action to reduce risks and impacts of disasters in Lesotho, specifically in the most vulnerable and remote areas of Mokhotlong, Thaba-Tseka and Leribe.

Advocacy Areas

• Government to fast track the promulgation of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Bill of 2020 into law with thorough public consultations done.
• To systematically review the National Information System for Social Assistance (NISSA) to ensure the most vulnerable receive the help they need most. This will assist in cases of any humanitarian need that plans can be enforced and if need be assistance be well coordinated. 
• To lobby for inclusion of disaster-risk reduction courses or subject into the curriculum as well as ensuring that all schools are conscious of the common hazards and shocks in their areas and are well prepared against such. 
• To mobilize resources in-line with the Sendai Framework which was ratified into the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy and Action Plan to implement the short- and medium-term commitments whilst ensuring the long-term plans are implemented one step at a time. 

Event Information

The event will be graced by the European Union Head of Delegation to Lesotho, Her Excellency Paola Amadei and the Minister in the Prime Minister’s office, Hon. Limpho Tau Senator and World Vision Lesotho children and change makers.

When: Monday 22 May 2023 | Where: Lancers Inn Hotel, Maseru |Time: 09:00am – 13:00pm

ENDS.    

Note to editor.   

For more information contact: Lerato Brown, Communications and Marketing Manager, lerato_brown@wvi.org +266 5891 1020 or Thapelo Tseko, Communications and Advocacy Specialist, ECHO project, thapelo_tseko@wvi.org +266 5704 2373

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities to reach their full potential by tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.  For more information, please visit www.wvi.org/lesotho or follow us on Twitter @WorldvisionLS | Facebook @WorldVisionLesotho | LinkedIn @World Vision Lesotho