In a significant boost to food security efforts in Eswatini, the governments of Japan and Eswatini have formalized a major food aid agreement designed to support over 27,000 vulnerable children nationwide.
The signing ceremony took place at the United Nations offices in Mbabane, underscoring a strengthening bilateral partnership and a shared commitment to tackling hunger among the country’s most at-risk populations.
Under the deal, Japan, through its ongoing collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), will provide JPY 200 million (approximately SZL 25 million or USD 1.3 million) to deliver daily hot meals to orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) aged between 2 and 6 years.
These meals will be distributed through Neighbourhood Care Points (NCPs) across all four regions of Eswatini.
Minister of Economic Planning and Development, Hon. Dr. Tambo Gina, expressed deep gratitude on behalf of the Kingdom, highlighting the timing and significance of the support. “This aid arrives at a crucial time,” Dr. Gina said. “
It is a testament to the enduring friendship between our nations and reflects Japan’s unwavering commitment to development cooperation, especially in areas of food security, education, and health.”
He noted the urgency of intervention given that nearly 20% of Eswatini’s population currently faces acute food insecurity, reinforcing the grant’s alignment with the country’s National Development Plan (2023/24–2027/28).
The programme directly supports Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) and forms part of Eswatini’s broader strategy to bolster social protection systems for its most vulnerable citizens.
Dr. Gina also lauded Japan’s technical assistance beyond food aid, notably its role in advancing the construction of secondary schools, marking one of Eswatini’s largest education infrastructure projects.
This partnership not only alleviates immediate nutritional needs but also reinforces the longstanding diplomatic ties between Japan and Eswatini, exemplifying a model of cooperation that spans humanitarian aid and sustainable development.
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