Swaziland needs more food aid
2004-03-08 15:12
Mbabane - The number of people in need of food aid in Swaziland will increase to some 347 000 by April, despite good rains falling in the tiny kingdom recently, its national disaster task force chief said on Monday.
Ben Ndzibandze said predictions last year put the number at 315 000 of the country's 1.1 million-strong population in need of aid, but it was revised after an assessment of the drought in the country was conducted by its Vulnerability Assessment Committee (Vac).
"After concluding their study the Vac has since advised us that at least 347 000 people would need food aid by April," Ndzibandze said in a statement.
"This is despite that the country received rains after many years of severe drought," he added.
Like other southern African countries, Swaziland is locked in the grip of what is sometimes referred to as a "green drought".
Said Ndzibandze: "The rains came rather too late to revive hopes of a good harvest since most farmers from many parts of the kingdom did not plough and even those who planted their crops were damaged by a heat wave."
Prime Minister Themba Dlamini last month declared a national disaster due to the combined effect of Aids, drought and hail and appealed to the international community for help.
The tiny kingdom has suffered its fourth successive year of drought, combined with a serious problem of Aids, which affects about 38.6% of the adult population, according to the latest government figures.