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Country analysis

Eswatini

Persistent drought, floods, and the combined impact of COVID-19 and the conflict in Ukraine on livelihoods are intensifying the food security crisis in Eswatini. Between October 2023 and March 2024, 282,800 people (24% of the assessed population) were expected to experience severe acute food insecurity – i.e., Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse levels – including 14,700 facing Emergency (IPC Phase 4) levels. The 14,700 represents almost a 15% increase from the previous IPC figures for the June–September 2023 period. Most of the people expected to be facing severe acute food insecurity between October 2023 and March 2024 live in Dry Middleveld, Lowveld Cattle And Maize, and Lubombo Plateau.

As a result of the current Russia-Ukraine conflict, input prices have risen far above the five-year average. The impact of COVID-19 has also increased the number of unemployed people in the country, significantly affecting livelihoods. As the purchasing power of more households decrease, they are likely to start depleting more of their assets as a coping strategy for the rising food insecurity and nutrition crisis, aggravating the situation during the October 2023 to March 2024 period.

Eswatini significantly depends on imports for food consumption. The main causes of this dependence include recurrent droughts; variable rainfall; lengthy dry spells; insufficient farming technology; low investment in seeds, fertilisers, and equipment; and structural impediments blocking access to formal markets.

(WFP accessed 07/02/2024, IPC 17/08/2023, [EC 07/09/2022]( Eswatini: Acute Food Insecurity Situation for June - September 2023 and Projection for October 2023 - March 2024 | Knowledge for policy (europa.eu)), IFPRI 09/03/2023)

Persistent drought, floods, and the combined impact of COVID-19 and the conflict in Ukraine on livelihoods are intensifying the food security crisis in Eswatini. Between October 2023 and March 2024, 282,800 people (24% of the assessed population) were expected to experience severe acute food insecurity – i.e., Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse levels – including 14,700 facing Emergency (IPC Phase 4) levels. The 14,700 represents almost a 15% increase from the previous IPC figures for the June–September 2023 period. Most of the people expected to be facing severe acute food insecurity between October 2023 and March 2024 live in Dry Middleveld, Lowveld Cattle And Maize, and Lubombo Plateau.

As a result of the current Russia-Ukraine conflict, input prices have risen far above the five-year average. The impact of COVID-19 has also increased the number of unemployed people in the country, significantly affecting livelihoods. As the purchasing power of more households decrease, they are likely to start depleting more of their assets as a coping strategy for the rising food insecurity and nutrition crisis, aggravating the situation during the October 2023 to March 2024 period.

Eswatini significantly depends on imports for food consumption. The main causes of this dependence include recurrent droughts; variable rainfall; lengthy dry spells; insufficient farming technology; low investment in seeds, fertilisers, and equipment; and structural impediments blocking access to formal markets.

(WFP accessed 07/02/2024, IPC 17/08/2023, [EC 07/09/2022]( Eswatini: Acute Food Insecurity Situation for June - September 2023 and Projection for October 2023 - March 2024 | Knowledge for policy (europa.eu)), IFPRI 09/03/2023)

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Latest updates on country situation

26 March 2025

The USAID funding freeze, which came into effect in January 2025, has significantly affected Eswatini's healthcare system, particularly services for over 215,000 people living with HIV, including the 80,000 who relied on the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation for treatment and monitoring. The foundation’s closure will disrupt essential HIV services, including antiretroviral therapy, the prevention of mother-to-child transmission, and psychosocial support, leaving thousands vulnerable. Other NGOs that provide HIV care and treatment, such as The Luke Commission, are also struggling, with some services already suspended as a result of funding shortages. USAID also previously provided direct HIV/AIDS assistance, and its suspension may lead to shortages of antiretroviral drugs and medical supplies, further straining hospitals and clinics already facing overwhelming demand. Overall, HIV treatment and prevention efforts in Eswatini may be severely compromised, increasing the risk of infection and related fatalities. (TOS 02/03/2025, CT 24/02/2025, HPW 27/02/2025)

24 September 2024

In 2024, southern Africa is experiencing its worst drought in 100 years as a result of El Niño. Approximately 61 million people need assistance, with over 20 million experiencing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) food insecurity levels. Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have declared a state of emergency in response to the severe drought. There has also been a significant increase in malnutrition cases in Angola, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia, with expectations for the trend to continue into the first quarter of 2025. (OCHA 20/09/2024, OCHA 19/09/2024)

current crises
in Eswatini

These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

SWZ001 - Food Security Crisis

Last updated 28/03/2025

Drivers

Drought

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

2.3 Medium

Access constraints

1.0