Government and private sector leaders have jointly emphasised that Eswatini must uproot poverty if the nation is to effectively withstand and recover from disasters.
This call was made during the commemoration of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) 2025 held at Mountain View Hotel yesterday.
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The event brought together key stakeholders from government ministries, development partners and the private sector, focusing on the theme: ‘Financing Preparedness to Manage Risk – From Policy to Action and Partnerships for Resilience Financing.’
Expert panels engaged participants in in-depth discussions on building disaster resilience and transforming government systems to better handle emergencies.
UNDP Sustainable Development Specialist Mangaliso Mohammed said eradicating poverty was central to achieving national resilience.
Mohammed further explained that true resilience begins with ensuring citizens’ basic security and stability. “Our houses should not be destroyed when disasters strike. We must build and design a resilient economy.
Funding is not the biggest issue, it’s about reducing vulnerability and protecting our people. We need to ensure that every Liswati has financial stability, because the first step toward resilience is killing poverty,” he added.
Principal Planning Officer Siphiwe Dlamini noted that Eswatini already has a strong policy framework in place but struggles with implementation.
“We have good policies, but our main weakness lies in execution. We need to focus on implementing key strategies and improving our planning before we seek financing to address disasters,” Dlamini said.
National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) Chief Executive Officer Victor Mahlalela highlighted the importance of establishing dedicated risk financing mechanisms to support recovery efforts.
“We need to have continuous funding set aside for building resilience. Disaster management requires unity and collective responsibility. Everyone must actively participate in creating strategies that allow the country to recover quickly from hazards,” he said.
Mahlalela further stressed that every citizen is exposed to some form of hazard and therefore must understand how to prepare and recover effectively.
Adding to the discussion, Business Programme, Policy and Development Specialist Bheki Ginindza proposed the creation of a multi-donor trust fund to act as a national insurance mechanism.
“We should design a local trust fund supported by both government and the private sector. Other countries use such funds to recover from disasters, and we can do the same. Government must allocate resources urgently to ensure we are adequately covered when disasters strike,” he said.
Ministry of finance Financial Officer Thulisie Gamedze also acknowledged the need for improved financial planning and budgeting to enhance disaster preparedness.
The discussions concluded with a shared commitment from all stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and financing mechanisms aimed at protecting communities, reducing vulnerabilities, and ensuring that Eswatini is better prepared to face future disasters.
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