BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has once again supported the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office (DPMO) by making a cash donation of E5.6 million.
The donation was presented by Taiwan’s Ambassador to Eswatini, Jeremy Liang, to Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Thulisile Dladla. The handover took place on February 6, 2025, at the DPMO in Mbabane. The funds will be utilized by the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) for its house-building project aimed at assisting vulnerable groups in the country. Approximately 50 additional houses are expected to be built through this initiative.
During the donation ceremony, Ambassador Liang stated that Eswatini was more than just a diplomatic ally; he regarded the country as home to his brothers and sisters. He expressed that Emaswati were a people very close to his heart. Liang mentioned that after being approached by the DPM, his office consulted with the Government of Taiwan, resulting in the E5.6 million donation to Eswatini.
Liang also extended his condolences to those whose homes had been damaged by recent natural disasters. He reaffirmed Taiwan’s commitment to being a reliable partner to Eswatini and expressed hope that the donation would contribute to the swift recovery of affected individuals and facilitate the rapid construction of new homes so that displaced families could return to normalcy.
Expressing her gratitude, Dladla emphasized that Taiwan’s assistance could not go unnoticed, particularly because it addressed the basic needs of victims of natural disasters. She stressed that access to decent shelter remains a fundamental need and right for Emaswati. She recalled that during recent disasters, many victims were left homeless, including a tragic case where a mother and her child lost their lives due to the destruction of their home.
Dladla highlighted the government’s aspiration for all Emaswati to live in brick houses, as stick-and-mud structures are increasingly unable to withstand prevailing weather conditions. She stated that this initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 11, which urges nations to ensure their citizens have access to adequate housing.
The DPM further noted that His Majesty King Mswati III had directed the government to ensure that every citizen, particularly children, resides in decent housing. She reiterated the King’s emphasis on preventing children from growing up in shantytowns or squatter settlements, underscoring the government’s responsibility to implement this vision.
On January 15, 2025, the Taiwan Embassy had also made a generous donation of over E1 million to the DPMO in the form of two vehicles. The donation included a Toyota Quantum minibus and a Toyota Hilux GD6 twin cab, which will be used by DPMO staff members to track down individuals who neglect their responsibilities towards their children and/or parents.
