Recognising that the country continues to face a severe food security crisis as a result of climate change shocks, directly affecting over 30% of the population, coupled with the effects of the pandemic, EU Humanitarian Aid has provided this assistance to address the rising needs of the most insecure population. 

By providing life-saving food assistance in the worst Covid-19-affected areas in the country, the aim is to prevent the deterioration of their nutrition and health status and to facilitate early recovery from the pandemic.

The new EU Ambassador to the Kingdom of Eswatini, Ms Dessislava Choumelova, warmly welcomed these two interventions, saying:  “The European Union has a long history in providing humanitarian assistance to affected countries throughout the world, not least to Eswatini, and we were pleased to be able to provide financial assistance towards easing the plight of the emaSwati during these unprecedented times. 

“By financing much-needed food assistance delivery to the most vulnerable population in the country, we are hopeful that the beneficiaries will eventually become more resilient to the hazards resulting from climate change and the pandemic.”

The assistance will be administered by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Finnish Red Cross and will come in the form of food and/or cash-based transfers (CBTs) for the most vulnerable who are at risk of malnutrition.