USAID contributes over US$9.6M to Swaziland’s drought response
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will contribute US$9.6 million dollars (approx. E134, 000,000) for Swaziland’s drought response. United States Ambassador to Swaziland HE Lisa Peterson announced this at a food distribution-cum-launching event held in KaNgcampalala FDP, Lubulini recently.
“This drought relief includes food assistance, nutrition and water, agricultural and livestock recovery that will be implemented by the US government partners World Vision, World Food Program, UNICEF, and the UN food and agriculture organization. These collective efforts will help improve access to water, strengthen food security, protect livelihoods and build resilience among drought-affected households in Swaziland,” she said.
Representatives of more than 1,300 food beneficiaries attended the event along with WFP Country Representative, National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) Board members, UNICEF and FAO Officials, the local Indvuna and other local authorities. The announcement was received cheers and clapping of hands by the people.
She added that over the next eight months, in partnership with World Vision, USAID intends to reach 45 000 women, children and families across the country - those who are the most vulnerable and who risk losing livelihoods and facing food insecurity. Pregnant or lactating women will receive supplementary resources to protect their nutritional needs.
“We will support malnutrition screening to ensure that those who need treatment will receive it through local health clinics. Finally, we will assist communities as they build and repair critical assets for income generation as well as agricultural and livestock recovery activities, to contribute to greater food security and resilience in the long term,” she said.
She reaffirmed the US Government’s commitment to its partners and the country of Swaziland in addressing humanitarian and development needs.
Much needed relief will reach 12 constituencies
Through this support from USAID, World Vision will provide 4,625MT of food, 66MT of seed, 6,000 bales of hay and potable water to over 50,000 people affected by El Niño-induced drought in 12 constituencies across the four regions. World Vision Country Program Director Francis Dube affirmed the projects will help address urgent needs through food assistance, nutrition and health support, among many others in the communities.
“The multi sectoral nature of the response speaks of the complexity of the problem. The lack of rains due to the El Niño has had spiraling effects in food shortages, water shortages, diminishing immediate and medium team productive capacity due to limited agriculture inputs and households ability to access them,” he added. Swaziland continues to endure the extended effect of the drought in many parts of the country.
“We cannot understate the contribution that the American government continues to make towards improving the lives of the people of Swaziland, in complement to His Majesty’s government efforts towards eradicating poverty and hunger,” he said. He concluded by reminding partners to stay true to their role as conduits of help to the most vulnerable while cautioning beneficiaries that the donation did not come out of plenty or surplus but out of compassion and desire to stand in solidarity with those affected by disasters.
The total value of the projects World Vision will implement is $5, 897, 300 (approx. E82, 562, 200) and will rollout parallel, in three-folds:
Food Assistance - The provision of 8 months of conditional and unconditional food assistance to 45,328 beneficiaries in 6 constituencies across the 4 regions. A complete food basket will be provided comprising of mealie meal, beans and cooking oil monthly to beneficiaries throughout the drought period until the next harvest.
Supplementary feeding will be provided to children under 5 (CU5) and Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLW) showing signs of Moderate Accurate Malnutrition (MAM). A total of 4,615 MT of food will be distributed to 6 constituencies, namely: Lubulini, Mtsambama, Nkwene, Mafutseni, Mkhiweni and Mahlangatane.
Target Population: 48,484 (Broken down as: Food for assets – 45,238 people, Children U5 – 500 and Pregnant and Lactating Women – 2,746); Total Project Value: $4, 947, 300 (approx. E69, 262,200)
Agriculture and Food Security - Improving food availability through support to agricultural production in Shiselweni and Lubombo regions, by improving Livestock and Agricultural Production/Food Security in Shewula, Mpolonjeni, Sithobela, Somntongo and Matsanjeni constituencies. The project will implement trainings for beneficiaries on Conservation Agriculture and how to reduce or prevent possible loses of their produce.
Target population: 4,417 farmers – with 66MT of seeds (44MT of Sorghum and 22MT cowpeas); 4,291 cattle owners – with 6,000 hay bales for 20,000 cattle; Total Project Value: $900, 000 (approx. E12, 600, 000)
Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) – A water pipeline extension to increase access to potable water to an estimated 750 people in Matsetsa and Mcitsini communities under Lugongolweni constituency; Total Project Value: $50,000 (approx. E700, 000).
