BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – Over 99 000 people have benefitted from Government’s monthly social grants in a space of three months.
The 98 800 include 84 740 elderly individuals, 14 968 persons with disabilities, 147 widows, and one ex-serviceman. This is according to the second quarter (July to September 2024) performance report of the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office (DPMO).
“The office has maintained robust social protection programs, successfully providing monthly grants to over 99 800 beneficiaries, including 84 740 elderly individuals, 14 968 persons with disabilities, 147 widows, and one ex-serviceman,” says part of the report.
According to the report, the DPMO has demonstrated significant progress in implementing its constitutional mandate of social protection during the second quarter. In Fiscal year 2024/25, the DPMO received an annual budget of E903 123 499. As at of September 30, 2024 46 percent (E418 943 022) has been released from the budget with actual expenditure of E350 588 540, leaving a variance of E102 538 524.This variance represents committed funds for pending deliveries and upcoming tender awards.
The education support initiative has shown notable growth, with the OVC Education Grant program supporting 62 594 beneficiaries (a six percent increase from the previous year), disbursing E86.4 million in school fees and E55.9 million in examination fees for 20 898 pupils in forms one and three.
Through the “Nkwe” Community Outreach Programme, the DPMO has strengthened community development initiatives, focusing on economic resilience, community empowerment, and practical support such as birth certificate acquisition and housing assistance for vulnerable elderly residents, though demand continues to exceed available resources.
In disaster management and response, the office has made substantial progress through the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), rehabilitating 93 storm-affected households. A total of 192 households were affected by the wild fires during the reporting the period. In response to the affected households, the NDMA distributed 2 822.5kg of rice, 372kg of beans and 330L of cooking oil.
The DPMO, through Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society, provided response material including mixed clothing, sleeping mats, food parcels, tents and tarpaulins to 203 people affected by fire. The office also completed the 2023/2024 Vulnerability assessment and Analysis to help the country identify food insecurity gaps.
The assessment revealed deteriorating food security conditions due to dry spells, reduced income, price increases, and other socioeconomic challenges. Legislative improvements include the gazetted Disaster Risk Management Bill 2024, which updates the 2006 Act, and the ongoing development of a National Drought Policy under the World Bank Financed Water Supply and Sanitation Access Project.
