Highlights
• UNICEF Swaziland received US$260,000 from Global Affairs Canada towards implementation of emergency interventions in education, child protection, WASH and HIV/AIDS. US$150,000 has also been received from UNICEF’s Global Humanitarian Fund contributing towards nutrition, emergency sanitation in schools and child protection. The funding will enable significant implementation in areas that have previously been under-funded in the response.
• UNICEF East and Southern Africa Regional Director, Ms. Leila Pakkala, visited Swaziland 16-18 November 2016. Ms. Pakkala travelled to drought-affected communities in Lubulini and visited Bekezela Primary School and Sinyamantulwa community. Ms.
Pakkala heard first-hand how World Vision has been implementing water trucking and hygiene and sanitation activities with UNICEF support, to help offset the impacts of the drought for the 315 students and 10 teachers.
• Rainfall patterns for the first three months of the rainy season have matched meteorological predictions, with normal to above normal rains across most of the country. This rainfall has alleviated some of the impacts of the drought, with water rationing in the urban centres temporarily suspended. This is likely to be reintroduced in 2017 depending on the total rainfall levels received.
Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs
The current rainfall season has alleviated some of the impacts of the drought, reaching normal to above normal levels across most of the country. Water rationing in the urban centres has been temporarily suspended, as the availability of stream flow has been sufficient to support urban water supply. Rainfall for the period January to March 2017 is predicted to be normal to below normal and Swaziland Water Services Corporation is cautioning that water rationing is likely to be reintroduced in 2017. Seasonal localised severe weather events continue, causing damage to infrastructure, including schools, clinics and housing. As Swaziland enters the peak of the lean season (November 2016 through March 2017) there is significant risk of increased levels of malnutrition amongst the most vulnerable children. Rainfall levels will continue to be monitored to inform humanitarian planning beyond March 2017.