BY BANELE MAGONGO
MBABANE – The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has donated 880 metric tonnes of rice, valued at E22 million, to the Kingdom of Eswatini.
The bags of rice were handed over by the Taiwanese Embassy to the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office (DPMO) in Mbabane. This substantial donation, set to benefit 33 334 households in 13 different constituencies across the nation, underscores the government’s ongoing efforts to alleviate food insecurity.
Receiving the donation, Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Thulisile Dladla revealed that the DPMO had conducted an assessment of the impact of climate change on the Kingdom of Eswatini, discovering that due to hailstorms and strong winds followed by intense heat, Emaswati faced significant challenges in food production during June to September 2024. She further disclosed that the number of people in need of food assistance in this period was estimated to be 243 500.
She stated that the assessment conducted by her office predicted that, between October 2024 and March 2025, the number of Emaswati in need of food assistance would rise to 269 600, with a staggering 34 500 individuals facing critical food insecurity and having no food at all during this period.
Dladla acknowledged the Republic of China on Taiwan’s continued support in the development of the Kingdom of Eswatini. She praised Taiwan’s contribution to providing electricity to many homesteads, and also recognized their involvement in water-related projects. Dladla stressed that these initiatives have had a significant and lasting impact on the well-being of Emaswati citizens.
