…strengthens disaster preparedness and response
Moroke Sekoboto
IN response to an increasingly unpredictable climate, the Disaster Management Authority (DMA) is stepping up efforts to build long-term resilience in Lesotho.
The agency aims to raise public awareness of looming disasters, empower communities to increase food production, and reduce vulnerability to hunger.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Limpho Tau, told the Prime Minister’s Ministries and Departments, Governance, Foreign Relations and Information Cluster yesterday that a 2023 review of the DMA’s organizational structure was a strategic move to equip the agency for modern challenges.
As part of the reforms, the positions of Director of Disaster Preparedness and Director of Early Warning were created, significantly improving the DMA’s ability to communicate risks and respond quickly to emergencies.
“We want to sensitize the public, raise awareness about disasters, and build resilience against hunger by supporting food production,” Mr Tau said.
“Since reviewing the DMA structure, efficiency has improved, and our response to emergencies has become faster and more precise.”
The Minister highlighted a steady increase in the DMA’s budget, reflecting government commitment to disaster reduction. In 2022, the agency received M32 million, rising to M39 million in 2023. This year, the proposed allocation is M86 million, with M50 million earmarked for disaster interventions.
He also said physical interventions were also underway. In partnership with the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF), the DMA began rehabilitating homes in Kolo in 2023.
“This year, 98 houses are under construction for vulnerable families, addressing long-standing vulnerabilities dating back to 2014.
“To safeguard our national food supply, Lesotho is now insured against climate-induced disasters. Last year, we received a M48 million payout from Africa Risk Capacity (ARC), which we used to purchase produce from local farmers and distribute it to vulnerable households, supporting both our agricultural economy and food security.”
DMA Director of Disaster Preparedness, Retšelisitsoe Molefe, said the partnership with ARC, funded through premium support from the African Development Bank (AfDB), focuses on building climate resilience among farmers. He noted that southern districts, disproportionately affected by drought, are receiving climate-resilient seeds to boost production and close the gap with high-producing northern districts.
DMA Chief Executive Officer, Reatile Ellias, emphasized that disaster management requires coordination across ministries.
“Many crises are worsened by avoidable behaviours, such as neglecting local food production or building in high-risk areas. We are shifting focus toward empowering households through awareness, smarter land use, and sustainable farming,” he said.
Committee member, Maboiketlo Maliehe, stressed the importance of self-sufficiency.
“International grants are scarce; food production must become a national priority. Citizens need to reclaim arable land, protect fertile soil, and treat agriculture as central to resilience,” she said.
