Highlights
An Emergency Operation will follow WFP’s on-going immediate response to the drought caused by El Niño. WFP will provide emergency food and cashbased assistance to 150,000 drought affected people – almost half of the projected 320,000 people that are affected by the drought and in need of assistance – through this operation.
A comprehensive joint health and nutrition assessment was conducted in March. Findings revealed an increase in patients defaulting from antiretroviral therapy (12 percent) and treatment for TB (29 percent) from 2014 to 2015, and less adherence to HIV and TB treatment. The assessment further revealed the risk of a deterioration in the nutrition and health status of people living with HIV/AIDS.
Operational Updates
Drought and Food Security: Following the declaration of a state of emergency in February 2016, the Government published the National Emergency Response Mitigation and Adaptation Plan (NERMAP).
The total NERMAP budget amounts to USD 80 million of which USD 36.7 million is allocated for food assistance with USD 7.3 million pledged by the Government for food assistance interventions. However, substantial gaps in funding remain. According to the governmentled national drought response plan, an additional USD 29.3 million is needed for food assistance. Final operational arrangements are being made for an Immediate Response Emergency Operation (IR-EMOP) that will complement government efforts for drought relief in the severely affected Lubombo and Shiselweni regions. It will be followed by an Emergency Operation (EMOP 200974) that, at the peak of the lean season, will support 100,000 people with in-kind food assistance and an additional 50,000 with cash-based transfers. WFP requires USD 10.2 million to assist the affected local populations through its emergency operations.HIV and Nutrition: WFP is in discussions with the Ministry of Health to advocate for government and donor contributions to the nutrition assessment, counselling and support programme for HIV and TB patients. A malnutrition prevalence survey is being conducted jointly between WFP and the Ministry to support forecasting of people’s needs.
Social protection for Orphans and Vulnerable Children: In light of the continued needs related to drought conditions, WFP is looking for funding to continue assistance. Moving forward, WFP will shift its engagement from providing food assistance through NCPs to support the Government of Swaziland to strengthen social protection systems.