The World Food Programme (WFP) said on Thursday that the crushing drought in Swaziland, now entering its third year, has prompted the government this week to declare a state of national disaster.
WFP Johannesburg information officer Richard Lee said it was the first time the government had taken this step since 1992.
”The situation is worsening and is worse than expected. We had hoped for a good harvest and an easing of the food crisis. But now the situation is as bad as before, if not worse.”
Lee said the drought was particularly acute in the west of the country. It was being exacerbated by the high HIV/Aids rate in the country, Lee said. Many of the estimated 30% of Swazis infected were being weakened by their poor diet and falling victim to opportunistic diseases. Increased illness then in turn made it more difficult for them to farm. Most Swazis are rural subsistence farmers.
Lee said the WFP was already active in Swaziland, providing food to the 150 000 most vulnerable people.
But the emergency operation was scheduled to end this June. It is already apparent that support will be required until after the 2005 harvest, still a year away.
”We hope the declaration will send a message to donors that more money is necessary. It is a bleak picture,” Lee said. – Sapa