The Lesotho Red Cross Society (LRCS) in Berea is strengthening community resilience through water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sensitisation and first- aid training, while providing assistance to vulnerable households across the district. Speaking in an interview with the Agency, Senior Development Officer Mr. Tšokoliso Mothibeli said LRCS had sensitised communities in Ha-Koali, Mapoteng and Kolojane on WASH and first aid, reaching people from different villages in the areas.

He said six families had benefited from assistance during the quarter. The assistance included hygiene kits, food packages, blankets and clothes, while other families received support based on their basic needs. Mr. Mothibeli said assistance was mainly provided to the most vulnerable community members, particularly households with persons living with disabilities or those whose heads were unable to provide for themselves.

He said WASH sensitisation focused on promoting proper hygiene and sanitation practices, protecting water sources, regularly cleaning water tanks and keeping water sources covered to prevent the spread of diseases.

Mr. Mothibeli said one of the challenges faced by communities was limited access to water and proper sanitation facilities, resulting in some people using open spaces as toilets. He said this posed a health risk, particularly because some areas used for open defecation were located near water sources. He added that LRCS had community groups which monitored whether hygiene and sanitation measures were being maintained in communities.

On first aid, Mr. Mothibeli said LRCS trained community members, particularly Community Policing Unit members who frequently responded to emergencies, in basic first-aid skills to help casualties before they received further medical assistance. He said the training covered how to control bleeding, dress wounds, protect casualties and place them in appropriate positions to help preserve their lives.