Lesotho Council of NGOs today (30/01/2008) donated food parcels to Lesotho Red Cross Society to forward to communities that were affected by the recent tornado in the country.

LCN has taken it upon its shoulders to mobilize support in assisting vulnerable communities that have been affected by the tornado. The parcel consisted of Maize meal, canned pilchards, rice, sugar and beans. The parcels were given to LCN by Caritas Lesotho to support other NGOs that have activities in disaster management.

The parcels were donated to the Disaster and Humanitarian Relief Commission of the LCN which co-ordinates the disaster management relief operations of member NGOs, using the specialised knowledge of the commission members.  LCN members are organised into sectoral commissions for effective co-ordination and management of member programmes. The main objective of establishing the commissions is to group NGOs with similar programmes/objectives together in order to share experiences and co-ordinate civil society advocacy and programming in Lesotho.

LCN as an umbrella body should not be seen implementing programmes at grassroots level as this might look like it is competing with the members they seek to serve hence why it donated the parcels to Lesotho Red Cross Society for distribution.

LCN’s primary mission is to stimulate, promote and build capacity within Lesotho NGO's so that, they are stable, democratic, transparent, skilled, empowered, sustainable and responsive to their beneficiaries needs and those of the voiceless and marginalised.

Thandiwe Solwandle (Ms.)

Information Officer

Lesotho Council of NGOs

Tel: 22317205/22325798