BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Thulisile Dladla convened a crucial meeting with key stakeholders to develop strategies to improve conditions at the Malindza Refugee Camp.
The Social Protection Cluster meeting, held at Sibane Sami Hotel in Ezulwini, focused on assessing the current state of the camp and formulating a comprehensive plan to address pressing humanitarian challenges. The Deputy Prime Minister’s Office (DPMO) emphasised the importance of a collaborative approach to ensuring effective solutions for vulnerable populations.
Discussions during the meeting centred on critical issues such as:
- Enhanced Social Safety Nets: Strategies to support the community’s most vulnerable members.
- Healthcare Access: Improving the availability and quality of healthcare services for refugees and host communities alike.
- Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention: Addressing the root causes of GBV and Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) challenges while establishing effective response mechanisms.
- Multi-Hazard Contingency Planning: Strengthening emergency response systems to address potential disasters and crises.
- Social Protection Initiatives: Reviewing progress on existing programs and identifying opportunities for improvement.
- Vulnerability Assessments: Conducting safety audits and community mapping to identify and address specific needs.
- Gender-Sensitive Interventions: Ensuring all measures align with the principles outlined in the Gender in Humanitarian Action Handbook.
The gathering brought together experts and stakeholders to develop a robust, coordinated response to the complex challenges faced by refugees and vulnerable populations in Eswatini. By addressing issues such as health, social protection, and disaster preparedness, the meeting sought to enhance community resilience and ensure the availability of essential services during and after emergencies.
The DPMO underscored the importance of leveraging collective expertise to create sustainable solutions and strengthen the humanitarian response framework across the country.
