BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – The Ministry of Health has deployed the “Nkwe! AVoHC_SURGE” team to provide critical medical assistance to those affected by the heavy rains that have ravaged parts of Eswatini.
This specialized team is working alongside the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and private organizations to address the urgent healthcare needs of disaster victims.
The heavy rains, which caused widespread destruction, have left many without shelter and disrupted essential services.
In response, the Nkwe! AVoHC_SURGE team is conducting a detailed assessment of the affected areas to identify immediate medical needs and provide targeted interventions. The evaluation, taking place over two days, aims to prioritize healthcare support and address other urgent requirements.
This disaster response follows the Ministry’s recent efforts to assist refugees at the Malindza Refugee Reception Centre. Last week, Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula officially commissioned the Nkwe! AVoHC_SURGE Eswatini team to address the humanitarian challenges caused by an influx of refugees fleeing political instability in Mozambique.
The multidisciplinary team is composed of specialists in various fields, including case management, infection prevention and control (IPC), surveillance, water sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and risk communication and community engagement (RCCE). Their expertise ensures a comprehensive approach to disaster response.
In the disaster-affected regions, the team has been screening individuals to detect potential health risks and illnesses. They have also worked to reconnect displaced individuals with essential medical care, including access to vital medications left behind during evacuations.
The ongoing refugee crisis at Malindza stems from Mozambique’s political unrest following the October 2024 elections. The elections, which saw FRELIMO’s Daniel Chapo elected president, triggered tensions that forced many to seek refuge in neighbouring countries, including Eswatini. President-elect Chapo is set to be inaugurated tomorrow, January 15, 2025, succeeding Felipe Nyusi.
Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini is scheduled to attend the inauguration on behalf of His Majesty King Mswati III and the Eswatini nation.
Through collaborative efforts, the Ministry of Health and its partners continue to demonstrate their commitment to providing timely and effective responses to both local and regional humanitarian crises.
