By Lwazi Dlamini
The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini allocated a sum of E120 million to the Disaster Risk Management Fund for the 2024/2025 financial year.
Acting Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla announced the allocation, explaining the importance and critical role of supporting emaSwati during times of crisis.
The heavy floods had caused a lot of damage, leaving some homeless and property in ruins.
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Dladla highlighted that the fund ensures Eswatini is prepared to assist disaster victims when needed.
The Acting Prime Minister explained that part of the E120 million had already been used to purchase food for disaster victims, with some of the funds used to address the ongoing drought affecting the nation. This drought has left about 300,000 emaSwati in urgent need of food aid.
To enhance Food Security, a sum of E20 million has been allocated to the Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (EWADE),
a parastatal under the Ministry of Agriculture which was recently applauded by the Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg for efficiency in undertaking their projects.
EWADE will use the funds to grow crops such as beans, which will be distributed as good aid to those in need.
Dladla also noted that producing food locally is more sustainable than relying on imports and stressed the need to establish silos for food storage.
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From the total E120 million allocation, about E52 million will be directed towards purchasing food for emaSwati, with a portion also allocated to supporting refugees at the Malindza Refugee Camp.
However, Dladla clarified that most of the resources would focus on aiding emaSwati with only a small share used for refugees.
Dladla also underscored the importance of disaster prevention rather than reaction.
“We need to address these vulnerabilities before disasters strike,” she added.
