ROTHE - THE Disaster Management Authority (DMA), on behalf of the government, has set aside M4.5 million to construct new homes and repair ones that were destroyed by strong storms last month.

“We still need more money to help all those affected,” the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Limpho Tau, has said.

He spoke in Rothe, on the outskirts of Maseru, on Wednesday, during the sod-turning ceremony for the construction of new homes and the renovation of ones that had been destroyed by flooding.

Tau said since 2012, the government had not assisted any families impacted by natural disasters, according to their records.

He noted that for now, they will only help those who have recently been affected.

And, contingent on financial resources, they hope to assist everyone impacted.

According to the minister, assistance would be given to those in need based on the extent of the damage done to their homes and their vulnerabilities.

Last month, at least 12 homes in Rothe were destroyed by heavy rains, leaving some residents without roofs over their heads.

Affected communities were left without a place to live, as some homes were completely destroyed and others were partially damaged.

According to Tau, three houses in the area will be built with assistance from the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF).

He said local builders in the area would construct the remaining homes with funding provided by the government.

He pleaded, "Please do not charge outrageous prices when you perform this work."

Renovations will be made to a total of 75 homes in the Maseru district, 65 in Mafeteng, and 13 in Thaba-Tseka.

In order to help those impacted, Tau said the project would be expanded to other districts.

Lesotho, like other nations, is affected by climate change, which brings about extreme droughts, storms, and flooding, according to Prime Minister Sam Matekane.

“This has really challenged the government,” he said.

He said they had come to Rothe because they were seriously challenged by what happened in the area.

“Each family would have a two-roomed house built for them,” Matekane promised.

But he explained that the government would not be able to readily help all those who were affected because of limited resources.

“We are going to assist the most affected,” he said, adding that others would be aided later, when the government is on its two feet.

Before the next round of severe rains, he asked the contractors to expedite the building process.

According to him, it makes sense to construct homes that can resist extreme weather, such as torrential downpours and powerful storms.

Due to climate change, December may experience snowfall as well as strong storms and torrential rains.