By Siphesihle Dlamini
The Kingdom of Eswatini has been reeling from the effects of heavy and destructive rainfall that has ravaged communities over the past few days.
Homes have been destroyed, infrastructure damaged, and agricultural produce ruined, leaving many citizens without access to critical services.
Acting Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla expressed her deep sympathies and outlined the government’s comprehensive response to the crisis.
Directly addressing the devastation, Dladla stated, “Over the past few days, the country has experienced heavy and destructive rainfall that has battered our communities, leaving widespread damage to homes, infrastructure, and agriculture produce including denying some communities access to critical services.
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” She acknowledged the widespread suffering caused by the rains, emphasizing, “Reports have been received of loss and the widespread suffering caused by these rains, and our thoughts are with all those who have been affected, especially those who have lost their loved ones, homes, and livelihoods, in these unprecedented rains.”
The Acting Prime Minister assured emaSwati that His Majesty’s Government is fully committed to addressing the crisis.
“First and foremost, I want to assure emaSwati that His Majesty’s Government is fully committed to responding to this crisis with urgency, solidarity, and compassion,” she said.
Speaking about the emotional toll of the disaster, she added, “As a government, we do understand the deep sense of loss and frustration that this may cause, and I want to assure emaSwati that as your government, we stand with you.”
To tackle the disaster’s immediate aftermath, the government has mobilized various resources. The Acting Prime Minister highlighted the tireless efforts of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), stakeholders, and government ministries.
“We are working around the clock with the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), stakeholders, Government ministries, departments and partners and have enhanced response operations and provided relief to those severely affected by the rains,” she said.
Notably, air rescue services have been deployed to assist communities cut off by flooded rivers, ensuring access to health services and reconnecting families.
The Acting Prime Minister commended the collaborative efforts of Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) and Mercy Air.
“I would like to appreciate the support from Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) and Mercy Air for the total of four missions undertaken in the past two days,” she noted.
These missions included evacuations, airlifting citizens, and conducting rapid loss and damage assessments to inform future recovery strategies.
The government is prioritizing the restoration of vital infrastructure, with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and municipalities actively rebuilding damaged roads and bridges.
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“As His Majesty’s Government, we are prioritising the restoration of vital infrastructure, including roads, and bridges to ensure the basic needs of all our citizens are met and restored as quickly as possible,” Dladla affirmed.
While acknowledging the challenges ahead, the Acting Prime Minister appealed for unity and patience. “We are aware that the recovery process will not be easy, and it will take time and want to appeal for patience and cooperation from all emaSwati,” she said.
However, she remained optimistic about the country’s resilience, stating, “We remain confident that together, we will rebuild a stronger and more resilient Kingdom of Eswatini.”
Dladla also called on citizens to contribute to recovery efforts. “The scale of this tragedy calls for unity, and I call on every citizen to join hands in supporting Government efforts, whether through volunteering, donating, or simply offering a helping hand to your neighbour; every act of kindness makes a difference,” she urged.
In conclusion, the Acting Prime Minister extended her deepest sympathies to those affected, assuring them of the government’s unwavering support.
“Finally, I want to reiterate my deepest sympathies to all those affected by this disaster. You are not alone.
We are with you, and we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that our communities emerge from this tragedy stronger than ever,” she said.