By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: The European Union (EU) Eswatini has donated E46.6million to assist government in providing food assistance in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. 

Esmeralda Hernandez Aragones , the EU Ambassador to the Kingdom of eSwatini when speaking during a press conference in Mbabane today said the donation will assist the country in countering the effects of COVID-19 adding that the support will be channeled through the Eswatini Red Cross and the World Food Program(WFP)

“This assistance is part of the bigger support the EU is providing to the COVID19 response in Eswatini which amounts to E1.4 billion covering multiple sectors of society. The support cements the partnership the EU has with the Kingdom of Eswatini. When this project is implemented, it will run for the next eight months. It is earmarked to reach out to approximately 230 000 households & will involve cash-based transfers (CBT) and provision of food parcels to the most food insecure populations,” said the Ambassador.

Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini when accepting the donation thanked the EU adding that this donation was a clear indication that the European Union was a friend and collaborator to the country.

“The EU is showing, yet again, the kind of friend & collaborator it is to this Kingdom. It is important to inform the nation that the EU assistance will be channeled through Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross and the World Food Programme (WFP). This support is significant as it adds to the ongoing food assistance programme which has already benefited over 330 000 Emaswati. Through this gesture, Emaswati will get food and cash assistance for an extended period & our national food security will be stabilized,” said the PM.