As I assume the role of the SG from the 01st May, 2024, I want to reflect on the task ahead of me during this term of office.
I take this opportunity to thank the Lesotho Red Cross leadership/NEC for assigning me to manage the affairs of the National Society and see the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan being implemented. I come to the helm of this National Society when there are many challenges facing the world, especially the Humanitarian Sector. It is therefore an honor for me to realize that the leadership has put its trust on me to take it through these adversities the NS is facing.
Our NS has numerous challenges including the declining volunteer base where we see the lowest entity of the NS which are branches fading. Many people are not sure what is the role of today’s Lesotho Red Cross. We are therefore duty bound to resuscitate the branches and ensure we recruit fit-for-purpose volunteers who understand the mandate of Red Cross.
Our NS is facing financial challenges as the donor space continues to shrink. It is my duty to expand our resource base by attracting partners that see value in working with us. We are currently improving our property assets and we hope to diversify our income streams by being self-reliant. We are in critical conversations with different Partner National Societies and we now have British Red Cross on board. We will soon sign an MOU with the Spanish Red Cross and later in the year we will be talking with the Chinese Red Cross. These partnerships are meant to reinforce our capabilities and efforts to serve our communities.
Our NS is now in talks with the Government of Lesotho to enter into a cooperation arrangement and strengthen our auxiliary role. We intend to strengthen our relationship with specific departments in the areas of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, Education, Health, Food Security, Climate Change and Social Welfare. It is my role to lead these conversations and turn them into practical partnerships with such government departments. We plan to fully engage with our Patrons and ensure we deliver to their expectations.
Our NS is undergoing a realignment process where we seek to balance the 2023-2027 Strategic demands and the skill sets of our human capital. This is a sensitive process and we are partnering with International Federation of Red Cross to support the NS to diligently see this process through. The outcome of this process is a relevant NS in the humanitarian sector with skilled staff to deliver the necessary interventions to the communities.
Being a team leader of a diverse organization like LRCS is a mammoth task and I look forward to the support of my colleagues, the volunteers, the members, the leadership in the form of Branches, Divisions and National Committees, partners, IFRC and government of Lesotho to assist me to deliver on the mandate of the 2023-2027 Strategic intends.
I remain the servant of Basotho.
Yours sincerely,
Sechaba Mokhameleli- the New LRCS SG.