The Situation

A tornado which according to the elders of affected villages is the first of its kind hit the Southern districts of Lesotho. On the 4^th January 2008 at around 5 .00 pm, the districts of Mafetng (about 75 kms south of Maseru) and Quthing (240 kms south of Maseru) were hit by a tornado which destroyed houses, toilets, schools, telephone and electricity lines, crops, vegetables, uprooted trees  and water sources. The nature of the tornado was strong winds accompanied by heavy hailstorm.

According to the rapid assessment which started from the 5^th by the government and other NGOs and the Lesotho council of NGOs, to date (11th/01/2008), it is 750 households which have been affected with varying levels of destruction. The destruction of the houses ranges from those which the roofing is completely blown off, some roofing partially blown; some are cracked, while others are completely collapsed. There is one death case reported in Motsekuoa Village so far and various injuries as well as injury to animals which claimed a life of one horse in Motsekuoa village. The situation is calm for now although the Meteorology department weather focus indicates some rains and strong winds for the coming seven days although not strong to produce another tornado.

           Response so far

The responses on the ground to date include temporary shelter (tents and tarpaulins), food Aid, and medical treatment for the injured and first Aid for minor injuries. In the LNC’s field visit to Mafeteng, the stakeholders estimated the response level to be at about less than 10% compared to the magnitude of damage. In one village ( Ha Ripere), a village of about 27 households are using two provided tents for most boys and men sleeping while girls and women are hosted by other households. The Government is about to embark on reconstruction for about 202 households.

 Coordination of stakeholders

The coordination is through the operation center which is established at DA’s office in Mafeteng. This establishment helps to bring information together and disseminates to all interested parties. Nonetheless much of the efforts seem to be more inclined to provision of shelter, not much on sanitation and crop situation.

 Needs identified during Assessment

·        202 households identified immediate shelter

·        Food assistance for 202 for at least 5 months up to June.

·        Food Security assistance- crop and vegetable production.

·        Construction of water systems

·        Psychosocial support

·        Community based First Aid awareness

  Recommendations/ way forward

 ·        Disaster Management and AENRC to convene a meeting by next week to mobilize more assistance.

·        Advocate and facilitate an in-depth assessment for long term solution like planting of trees to minimize impact in future