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Country analysis

Eswatini

Erratic rainfall, prolonged dry spells, high food and agricultural input prices, reduced household incomes, and livestock disease are worsening food insecurity in Eswatini. Between June–September 2026, over 222,000 people (18% of the analysed population) are expected to face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse food insecurity, deteriorating during the October 2026 to March 2027 lean season to 286,000 (23%), including 22,000 in Emergency (IPC Phase 4). This represents an over 10% increase from the 259,000 projected to face IPC 3+ during the corresponding 2025–2026 period. The most affected livelihood zones are Dry Middleveld, Lowveld Cattle and Maize, and Lubombo Plateau.

High and volatile fuel and import prices increase the cost of food and other essentials, reducing purchasing power among low-income households. These pressures compound the effects of variable rainfall and dry spells, reduced agricultural production, and foot-and-mouth disease, which is disrupting livestock livelihoods and trade. Eswatini's dependence on food imports increases exposure to external price and supply shocks, while declining food stocks may force food-insecure households to adopt potentially harmful coping strategies (reducing meals, selling productive assets, relying on debt, etc.) – possibly worsening with projected El Niño conditions (below-average rainfall, higher temperatures, increased drought risk) from 2026–2027.

(WFP accessed 20/08/2026, IPC 31/07/2026, IPC 31/07/2025, The Times of Eswatini 23/03/2026, Earth Pulse Now accessed 03/09/2026)

Erratic rainfall, prolonged dry spells, high food and agricultural input prices, reduced household incomes, and livestock disease are worsening food insecurity in Eswatini. Between June–September 2026, over 222,000 people (18% of the analysed population) are expected to face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse food insecurity, deteriorating during the October 2026 to March 2027 lean season to 286,000 (23%), including 22,000 in Emergency (IPC Phase 4). This represents an over 10% increase from the 259,000 projected to face IPC 3+ during the corresponding 2025–2026 period. The most affected livelihood zones are Dry Middleveld, Lowveld Cattle and Maize, and Lubombo Plateau.

High and volatile fuel and import prices increase the cost of food and other essentials, reducing purchasing power among low-income households. These pressures compound the effects of variable rainfall and dry spells, reduced agricultural production, and foot-and-mouth disease, which is disrupting livestock livelihoods and trade. Eswatini's dependence on food imports increases exposure to external price and supply shocks, while declining food stocks may force food-insecure households to adopt potentially harmful coping strategies (reducing meals, selling productive assets, relying on debt, etc.) – possibly worsening with projected El Niño conditions (below-average rainfall, higher temperatures, increased drought risk) from 2026–2027.

(WFP accessed 20/08/2026, IPC 31/07/2026, IPC 31/07/2025, The Times of Eswatini 23/03/2026, Earth Pulse Now accessed 03/09/2026)

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Latest updates on country situation

26 March 2025

The USAID funding freeze, which came into effect in January 2025, has significantly affected Eswatini's healthcare system, particularly services for over 215,000 people living with HIV, including the 80,000 who relied on the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation for treatment and monitoring. The foundation’s closure will disrupt essential HIV services, including antiretroviral therapy, the prevention of mother-to-child transmission, and psychosocial support, leaving thousands vulnerable. Other NGOs that provide HIV care and treatment, such as The Luke Commission, are also struggling, with some services already suspended as a result of funding shortages. USAID also previously provided direct HIV/AIDS assistance, and its suspension may lead to shortages of antiretroviral drugs and medical supplies, further straining hospitals and clinics already facing overwhelming demand. Overall, HIV treatment and prevention efforts in Eswatini may be severely compromised, increasing the risk of infection and related fatalities. (TOS 02/03/2025, CT 24/02/2025, HPW 27/02/2025)

24 September 2024

In 2024, southern Africa is experiencing its worst drought in 100 years as a result of El Niño. Approximately 61 million people need assistance, with over 20 million experiencing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) food insecurity levels. Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have declared a state of emergency in response to the severe drought. There has also been a significant increase in malnutrition cases in Angola, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia, with expectations for the trend to continue into the first quarter of 2025. (OCHA 20/09/2024, OCHA 19/09/2024)

current crises
in Eswatini

These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

SWZ001 - Drought

Last updated 25/08/2026

Drivers

Drought/drier conditions

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

5.2 Medium

Access constraints

2.0