Hunger continues to grip Swaziland (eSwatini) and the
European Union has donated 1.4 million euros (US$1.6 million) to help feed up
to 94,000 families in the coming year.
The money will be used to support the World Wood
Programme’s (WFP) efforts in rural and urban areas of Manzini, Lubombo and
Hhohho regions.
Cash will be transferred monthly to destitute families. About one third
of the kingdom’s estimated 1.1 million people are reported to be vulnerable to
hunger. Poor crops and the effects of coronavirus (COVID-19) are mostly blamed
for the situation.
Cissy Byenkya, WFP’s
Head of Office in Swaziland said, ‘This timely contribution will help us
address deepening food insecurity and malnutrition in children, particularly
orphans, pregnant and breast-feeding women, and people living with HIV and AIDS.’
Hunger is reportedly sweeping across Swaziland. The Integrated
Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) in a report published
in August 2020 said about 366,000 people faced ‘high acute food insecurity’ in
the coming months.
The IPC
analysis was undertaken for rural and urban areas in Swaziland; comprising
of four rural districts: (Manzini, Shiselweni, Lubombo and Hhohho); and two
urban districts; (Hhohho urban and Manzini urban). At present, 32 percent of
the rural population (292,794 people) and 17 percent of the urban population
(37,424 people) are in crisis.
Compared with 2019,
the kingdom’s food insecurity situation has deteriorated.
IPC reported The
COVID-19 pandemic had compounded the food insecurity situation, leading to an
estimated 37 percent of households with reduced income and 26.9 percent with
reported loss of employment.
See also
Hunger sweeping across Swaziland
and is going to get worse, new report suggests
EU steps up to feed
destitute during coronavirus crisis as Swaziland Govt. stumbles to deliver aid
Only four in ten receive
food aid in Swaziland Govt coronavirus scheme, a month after deadline
People face ‘imminent
death from hunger’ in Swaziland as coronavirus lockdown hits poorest
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