WFP Swaziland Country Brief, May 2017
Highlights
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In April, WFP conducted the last food distribution of the Emergency Operation (EMOP). A Budget Revision was approved to extend cash based transfer (CBT) activities through May.
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In April, WFP assisted 213,238 people with emergency assistance, of which 71,090 received food and 142,148 received CBT. In May, 56,973 people received CBT.
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WFP’s Food by Prescription project remains underfunded, and pipeline breaks are expected in July 2017.
Operational Updates
Drought and Food Security:
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In April, WFP conducted the last food distribution under the EMOP, reaching 71,090 people with a 45 day ration. CBT assistance, which was extended through May, reached 142,000 people in April and 56,973 in May.
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The Government is coordinating a multi-sectoral assessment to update information on impact of the drought at the peak of the lean season and the final report will be published in the coming weeks.
Preliminary findings from the agricultural survey point to a 37 percent increase (68,240 ha) of land under cultivation compared to last year. -
The 2017 Annual Vulnerability Analysis Assessment is starting early June with results expected by end of June and the report finalised by end of August.
HIV and Nutrition:
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WFP is the implementing partner for USAID’s PEPFAR project which focuses on nutrition intervention targeting people living with HIV/AIDS and orphans and vulnerable children. Project implementation started in March for selected health facilities in the most food insecure areas.
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WFP’s Food by Prescription project has been extended to December 2017. It remains underfunded and pipeline breaks are expected in July 2017.
Social protection for Orphans and Vulnerable Children:
- Thanks to recent funding, assistance to orphans and vulnerable children through DEV 200422 will resume in 2017. The project has been halted since May 2016 due to lack of resources.
Challenges
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Drought and Food Security: Results from the Swaziland Vulnerability Analysis Committee and IPC analysis indicate that 350,000 people are in need of emergency food assistance, with 640,000 potentially affected by some degree of food insecurity at the peak of the lean season (November 2016 - April 2017).
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Negative Economic Forecast: Swaziland faces fiscal and economic challenges, with poor predictions for Southern Africa Customs Union revenue, continued slow economic growth and the devaluation of the South Africa Rand, to which the local currency is pegged.
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WFP Swaziland Country Strategy development:
Swaziland’s economic situation may also hamper advances in WFP’s country strategy approach, which aims towards full national ownership, financial and operational, of food and nutrition security initiatives.
The Government has endorsed the priorities of the draft strategy.