Maseru, Jan.28--Lesotho is highly vulnerable to prolonged droughts, which are exacerbated by climate change,despite being a water source for South Africa, changing rainfall patterns are reducing water availability, affecting both agriculture and the water export economy.

As a way of addressing to this matter, the Disaster Management Authority will hold a two days national dialogue on Disaster Management from Wednesday.Speaking in an interview, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Mr. Limpho Tau said that this dialogue will enable discussions from different stakeholders such as government ministers, development partners as well as the private sector on the sustainable measures which can be used, taken and implemented for disaster management that will be of benefit to the nation.

Mr. Tau stated that this event will uncover policies and programmes which the government of Lesotho through the help of development partners has implemented as to address some of the hazards that affected the nation in different areas across the country. He mentioned that it will also serve as a platform of discussion and reflection with the sole purpose of finding mitigation plans on disaster management which is a role for everyone.

He further uttered that,at this dialogue Basotho will be given a platform to reveal some of the measures they have put in place for resilience on hazards of disasters which can be used of benefit for the country. Meanwhile, Mr. Tau delineated that experts from different sectors are also expected to give inputs to ensure for sustainable disaster management mitigation plans.

The majority of Lesotho’s population relies on subsistence farming. Climate change has led to shorter growing seasons, erratic weather, and poor crop yields, threatening food security. The country frequently faces food shortages, increasing vulnerability.