Disasters in Eswatini

Eswatini's main disaster risks are drought, floods, storms, environmental hazards, extreme weather, fire, earthquakes and landslides. Drought is a particularly serious national risk and has historically affected Lubombo and Shiselweni strongly during El Niño conditions. Floods and storms can affect all four regions: Hhohho, Manzini, Lubombo and Shiselweni. Tropical Cyclone Eloise in 2021 affected 266 households, representing 1,410 people, across the four regions. Government storm relief in 2026 focused especially on Lubombo and Shiselweni. The National Disaster Management Agency, commonly referred to as the NDMA, is the main statutory disaster-management body. Public references may also use the name National Disaster Risk Management Authority. The National Disaster Management Department, the National Emergency Operations Centre and Regional Disaster Management Committees support coordination. The Deputy Prime Minister's Office, Regional Administrators and Secretaries, inkhundla structures, the Indvuna yenkhundla, bucopho and community volunteers connect national action with local communities. The Disaster Management Act, 2006 establishes the main responsibilities, emergency powers and Disaster Management Fund. The Eswatini Meteorological Service, under the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, provides national weather warnings, daily and seasonal forecasts, climate bulletins and agricultural meteorological information. The Department of Water Affairs supports flood forecasting and early-warning systems. An integrated multi-hazard early-warning system, automatic weather stations, a resilience strategy and a climate-migration and relocation plan appear in the government's 2025-2028 programme, although parts of this work remain planned rather than fully operational. Preparation includes following official forecasts and warnings, keeping water, durable food, medicines, a torch, batteries and important documents available, and securing loose items around buildings. During a storm, stay indoors and away from windows. During flooding, move to higher ground and do not walk, swim or drive through floodwater. Keep family communication possible through SMS or social media because mobile battery capacity may be limited. Phepha reports can be sent by SMS to 112 or through *112#1. Local authorities, Members of Parliament, the Indvuna yenkhundla, bucopho and community volunteers can also receive local reports. For immediate danger, call 112 for the NDMA emergency toll-free service, 999 for the Royal Eswatini Police Service, 933 for fire services, 977 for emergency medical assistance and 990 for the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force. State the precise location, people at risk, type of hazard and visible damage. The 977 service is relevant to the disaster-response element of a rescue or medical emergency; ordinary health matters belong to the health system. When a disaster threatens, a Regional Disaster Management Committee assesses its likely magnitude and severity, informs the NDMA, issues warnings according to NDMA instructions, alerts response agencies, activates volunteers and starts the relevant contingency or emergency plan. The NDMA and National Emergency Operations Centre coordinate with the Eswatini National Fire and Emergency Service and other role-players. Response times vary with the type and severity of the event, and no general public response-time guarantee is published. Emergency assistance follows a needs and impact assessment. The NDMA coordinates emergency services, relief and commodity stocks. Depending on the damage and available resources, support can include tents, food parcels and roofing materials delivered through the NDMA, Baphalali eSwatini Red Cross, World Vision or other organizations. The Disaster Management Fund finances national planning, emergency relief, restoration of infrastructure and services, and compensation for qualifying volunteers. It does not establish a general guaranteed individual compensation payment for every disaster loss, and direct fees for material assistance are not specified in the available information. Where lives are in danger, the Regional Disaster Management Committee refers evacuation needs through the NDMA, and the Minister may order evacuation to temporary shelters. During an emergency, the Prime Minister or Minister may restrict movement, close roads, limit access to supplies or regulate water use. Police, defence and fire services may rescue people, enter places when legally authorised, close roads and request resources. A national or regional state of emergency is classified according to the affected area and the ability to cope; a national declaration can initially last up to two months, while a regional declaration can initially last up to one month, with extensions of up to one month under the Act. People should follow lawful public warnings and emergency orders. Volunteers may need registration and identification and must follow reasonable instructions; the Act provides for indemnity and reimbursement in defined circumstances. Recovery proceeds from needs and impact assessment to relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction. Authorities aim to restore essential infrastructure and services, apply resilient construction and building-code standards, and evaluate the response after the event. Risk information for houses, roads, drainage, water systems, energy, agriculture, health facilities and schools is supported by the Disaster Risk Database and exposure data used for local planning. Water policy also supports catchment planning, floodplain zoning, public information and flood early-warning systems. Weak structural design and failure to follow construction standards can increase storm and heavy-rain losses. Disaster risk management in Eswatini is a formal national system, but practical assistance remains dependent on local conditions, damage assessments and available resources.