Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Kingdom of Eswatini has taken significant strides in strengthening its disaster preparedness and resilience framework, reaffirming Government’s commitment to protecting lives, infrastructure and livelihoods against natural and climate-related hazards.
This was said by Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini. He said this on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 when delivering his End-of-Year speech, reflecting on how the year 2025 has been for Eswatini. According to the premier, a major milestone in this effort was the launch of the Eswatini Drought Centre of Excellence in September 2025.
The centre serves as a regional hub for innovation, research and knowledge-sharing on drought management and climate resilience within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Through evidence-based research and early warning systems, the centre is expected to develop practical solutions that will strengthen national preparedness and reduce vulnerability to climate-induced disasters.
Complementing this initiative, Government, through the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), launched the Eswatini Flying Lab, the country’s first locally based innovation hub for drone technology in disaster risk reduction. The facility enhances the country’s capacity to collect real-time data, conduct aerial assessments and improve early warning systems. In addition, the rollout of the Composite Drought Index – Eswatini (CDI-E) now enables the integration of multiple data sources, improving early detection of drought conditions and strengthening community preparedness.
Further strengthening the national disaster management framework, Government enacted the Disaster Risk Management Act of 2025, replacing the outdated 2006 legislation. The new law provides a proactive and coordinated approach to disaster risk governance, ensuring improved preparedness, response and recovery mechanisms across all sectors.
During the year, parts of the country experienced severe weather conditions that resulted in damage to homes, roads and bridges. In response, Government supported 127 affected households, including the construction of 24 new homes and the rehabilitation of 103 damaged houses. An allocation of E76 million has been committed to support recovery efforts and strengthen community resilience.
The country also continues to confront the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease. Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and the NDMA, is leading containment efforts, with E40 million already committed to response measures and an additional E57 million earmarked for vaccine procurement. Farmers have been urged to adhere strictly to containment measures and cooperate with veterinary authorities to curb the spread of the disease.
These interventions demonstrate Government’s firm commitment to safeguarding lives, strengthening resilience, and building a safer, more prepared Eswatini in the face of emerging environmental and climate-related challenges.
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