International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - February 10, 2006
Michel Paris Relief Delegate, Manzini Swaziland

But the 29th of January ushered in a new lease of life for thousands of families in the remote mountainous area of Ndlinilembi in the Manzini region, where the Red Cross launched its food security operation with the distribution of maize seed and fertilizer to the poor community.

For Nobuhle Dlamini, 13, who is currently staying with her grandmother plus five other siblings, receiving maize has brought hope to the family. The family had not yet planted owing to lack of money to buy agriculture inputs.

"If the seeds germinate, we hope to have a good harvest," she says with a broad smile on her face. "Our grandmother will now use the little money she has raise from wood carvings to buy uniforms and other things."

Although NobuhleÆs mother is still alive, there isnÆt much that she can do to help the situation as she is currently sick at home. It is Nobuhle and her grandmother who works round the clock to ensure that there is food in the house for the family of eight people. This hard word has also affected her performance at school where she is currently doing grade six.

"I hope we will be able to harvest enough to sell and raise enough money to build a better house my sick mother," says Nobuhle. The house they are living in is currently in a bad state and may collapse at any time.

Seed and fertilizer distribution in Swaziland is part of the Red CrossÆ ongoing response to the current food crisis in southern Africa, which is threatening more than 12 million people in seven countries. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent launched a food insecurity appeal in October last year targeting more than 1.5million people in Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho, Swaziland and Namibia. The operation is targeting orphans such as such as Nobulhle, people living with HIV and AIDS, the elderly and child headed families.

Although the appeal is current critically under funded, the Red Cross decided to start providing food and seeds and fertilizers using the little resources available, during this most difficulty period when food prices increase beyond the reach of many.

"Out target groups are the most vulnerable in these countries and we are getting even more worried, especially during this period when food becomes expensive and scarce. If the average income earners have fallen in the critically food insecure category, the situation for orphans, people living with HIV and AIDS, elderly people, disabled become even more critical," said Mr MacBain Kanongodza, the Red Cross Food Security Operations manager in southern Africa.

"It is not too late to donate as this is the most difficulty period as food becomes scarce until the harvest period in March in all the seven countries. Any available food in the affected communities is beyond the reach of the poor as prices have gone up three-folds in most of these counties. In difficult times like these, every grain counts and no donation is too small," concluded Kanongodza.

For many thousands of people in the Swazi Kingdom, their only hopes are pinned on the agriculture starter packs provided by the Red Cross and the biggest question is how they will survive from now to the harvesting period which is normally March and April. This has become a major challenge.

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