By Thokozani Mazibuko
Principal Secretary in the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, Melusi Masuku has disclosed that 243 500 (20 per cent of the population) are in dire need of food aid in the country.
Further, he disclosed that it is projected that 303,700 people (25% of the population) in the country will be facing acute food insecurity and will need food aid between October 2024 to March 2025.
These shocking statistics, according to PS Masuku are highlighted in the 2024 Vulnerability Assessment Committee report presented on Thursday morning at Hilton Garden Inn to stakeholders.
It should be noted that this assessment aimed at providing an update on the status of livelihoods and vulnerability for both rural and urban households, generating information on the nutrition status and health situation of households in the Kingdom of Eswatini.
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The main objectives of this assessment report are to include quantifying the extent of food insecurity among urban and rural households,
identifying and understanding underlying causes of food and nutrition insecurity, establishing the extent of markets and trade operations for food security and other basic household needs and to make suitable recommendations for response in affected households.
“A total of 1 722 households were randomly sampled across the seven livelihood zones and urban areas and 806 children were covered for under-five nutrition,” he said
The PS revealed these startling statistics when the official opening meeting was held at The Hilton Hotel in Mbabane.
He said that the report was aimed at addressing food insecurity and vulnerability in the country.
He said SADC was facing a humanitarian crisis because of ongoing El Nino droughts that were negatively impacting the lives of the people and livelihoods.
“The heavy rains caused flash floods leading to displacements of people and damage to infrastructure and property.
The country is experiencing pre-exposure to extreme weather events including drought, floods and storms that have worsened livelihoods and food security.
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These extreme weather events also accentuate existing risk for the most vulnerable groups such as the rural and urban poor, small-scale farmers, elderly, women, sick, persons with disabilities and children,” the PS said.
He further extended his gratitude to all the partners who financially supported the exercise which included World Vision Eswatini,
UNFPA Eswatini, World Food Programme (WFP), Unicef Swaziland, Food Agricultural Organization (FAO), Eswatini Red Cross Society,
National Emergency Response Council on HIV and AIDS (NERCHA), and UNAIDS.
