UNITED NATIONS GIRLS EDUCATION INITIATIVE

Despite being classified as a lower middle-income developing country, 66 per cent of Swaziland's population lives below the poverty line. Some 70 per cent of the population live in rural areas and the economy is still largely based on agriculture.

Erratic weather conditions, an over-reliance on maize and failure to grow drought-resistant varieties are contributing factors to the 61 per cent rise in the price of this staple crop, which is now beyond the budgets of many families thanks to rising unemployment and the general economic slowdown in Swaziland.

The food crisis in Swaziland has precipitated a humanitarian emergency that is having a particularly severe impact on women, children, the elderly and those orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS. Assistance, in addition to food aid, is needed to reduce the vulnerability of these populations.

The consolidated appeal for funding to alleviate the food cisis in Swaziland has been developed to meet priority emergency needs as a result of the poor harvests and other socio-economic issues. To complement food aid, additional assistance is needed to reduce vulnerability.