By Ncaba Ntshakala
More than 300,000 emaSwati are grappling with food shortages, as revealed by the Prime Minister at the launch of the Enough:
End Hunger and Malnutrition Campaign, organized by World Vision Eswatini, along with the Vulnerability Assessment Report.
The report indicates that approximately 304,000 emaSwati are expected to face food scarcity from now until March 2025, highlighting the ongoing challenges of food insecurity in the country.
During the launch, Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla spoke on the widespread poverty and its severe consequences on the national food supply and the well-being of the population, especially children.
The event was attended by Cabinet Ministers, legislators, the United Nations family, representatives from the World Vision Regional Office, and other distinguished guests.
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The 2024 Vulnerability Assessment Report presents a grim overview of Eswatini’s socio-economic situation. Currently, 58.9% of the population lives below the poverty line, with 20.1% experiencing extreme poverty.
The hardest-hit regions, Shiselweni and Lubombo, have poverty rates of 71.5% and 67.3%, respectively, largely due to recurrent droughts that have devastated agricultural productivity over the years
.This continual exposure to drought has had a profound effect on the nation’s food production capabilities, pushing many into hunger and worsening already dire living conditions.
Among the four regions of Eswatini, Shiselweni has the highest percentage of multi-dimensionally poor children, with an alarming 70.9% living in poverty.
Lubombo follows closely at 67.5%, while Hhohho reports 55.2% of children facing similar hardships. According to the Prime Minister, these figures highlight the vulnerability of Eswatini’s youth, many of whom lack basic necessities and are at risk of developmental delays due to inadequate nutrition.
As noted in the UNICEF 2018 report, children in these regions face significant barriers in reaching their full potential because of the pervasive issues of poverty and food insecurity.
The nutritional outlook for the nation is concerning, with the 2024 Eswatini National Agricultural Pre-Harvest Assessment Report predicting a substantial shortfall in maize production.
The report estimates that Eswatini will face a deficit of over 108,500 metric tonnes of maize, its staple food, from March to April 2024.
Additionally, other crops like beans have experienced an average production decline of 12%. This considerable drop in crop yields suggests that food shortages are likely to worsen, placing added pressure on households already fighting to feed themselves.
Children, who represent 44% of Eswatini’s population, are particularly affected by hunger. This statistic is alarming, as it reveals that nearly half of the most vulnerable population comprises those under 17.
The Prime Minister expressed deep concern about this situation, reiterating the government’s commitment to achieving Zero Hunger by 2030, in alignment with national development frameworks such as the Strategy for Sustainable Development and Inclusive Growth (SSDIG) and sectoral initiatives like the Eswatini National Agricultural Investment Plan (ENAIP).
The Premier emphasized that the government recognizes the crucial roles of agriculture, agro-processing, social assistance, and emergency preparedness in combating hunger.
One initiative is the school feeding program, which has been a lifeline for many children, ensuring they receive at least one nutritious meal daily.
However, given the current projections from the Vulnerability Assessment Report, it is increasingly clear that there is a pressing need to strengthen and expand this program.
The Prime Minister highlighted the significance of addressing children’s immediate nutritional needs, particularly in schools and early childhood development centers, where malnutrition can have lasting effects on their physical and cognitive growth.
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Moreover, the Prime Minister’s address underscored the severe consequences of inadequate food supplies on child development.
He pointed out that malnutrition often leads to stunting and growth failure, which not only hinders physical growth but also affects mental and intellectual development.
Children who are not sufficiently nourished are more vulnerable to illnesses and infections due to weakened immune systems.
Additionally, their ability to concentrate and perform well academically is significantly impaired, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and food insecurity.
The Prime Minister further discussed the serious social implications of food insecurity. In food-insecure households, children, especially girls, face a heightened risk of sexual exploitation, including transactional sex and intergenerational relationships.
This increases their susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies.
He expressed concern over the detrimental effects of food insecurity on education, noting that when families struggle to put food on the table, children’s schooling, particularly for girls, often suffers.
He recognized the essential role women play in combating hunger and stressed the importance of involving women in efforts to eliminate child hunger and malnutrition.
“Women, who primarily handle food provision within families, are vital for ensuring children receive adequate nutrition from pregnancy through breastfeeding and beyond,” the Prime Minister stated.
“To support women in providing for their children, the government has introduced various programs, particularly in health and nutrition.
” He also acknowledged the invaluable assistance of development partners such as UNICEF and World Vision, whose efforts have significantly advanced these initiatives.
A major point of concern highlighted by the Prime Minister was the connection between hunger and gender-based violence (GBV).
He emphasized that GBV directly impacts food security and household economies.
Women who suffer from violence often experience productivity loss, which reduces food production and household income.
Furthermore, expenses associated with GBV, like healthcare and legal aid, divert funds from essential needs such as food.
This creates a vicious cycle where GBV contributes to increased food insecurity and poverty.
“The link between hunger and gender-based violence is clear. GBV affects food security and the household economy:
where women are primarily responsible for food provision, productivity loss among women facing violence directly reduces food production,” explained the Premier.
“Women affected by GBV have higher absenteeism rates at work, and their lower earnings reduce the income available for consumption.
Additionally, costs for GBV-related healthcare take away from food expenditures. It is a fact that GBV is a risk factor for HIV, which in turn affects household food security and a woman’s earning potential.
In households experiencing GBV, children’s educational performance suffers.”
The Prime Minister also outlined the government’s efforts to combat GBV through a fully operational unit within the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
This unit collaborates with various partners to implement programs aimed at preventing and responding to GBV, thereby lessening its impact on households and ensuring that women and children can thrive in safe and supportive environments.
In response to the immediate food crisis, the government, with assistance from the Taiwan Embassy, World Vision Taiwan, and World Vision Eswatini, has initiated a rice food-for-assets project aimed at 5,270 households across 13 constituencies.
As part of this initiative, 597 individuals from food-insecure households are currently receiving food assistance.
The Prime Minister shared a recent visit to Madlangempisi, where he witnessed the positive impact of the food-for-assets program.
Communities involved in the Tfutfukani Water project and the Malibeni High School sanitation project have demonstrated the power of collective action in addressing food insecurity and promoting self-sufficiency.
