BY BANELE MAGONGO
MBABANE– Principal Secretary at the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office (DPMO) Melusi Masuku yesterday officially opened a Vulnerability Assessment Stakeholder meeting at the UN House.
This publication has established that the main objective of the meeting was to review the vulnerability protocol and questionnaire tool that would be used in the upcoming vulnerability assessment. The assessment is designed to provide reliable and accurate information on food security, food insecurity drivers, and other livelihood conditions.
It is stated that the vulnerability assessment report will play a crucial role in promoting and supporting poverty reduction strategies and economic development measures that will help to create sustainable communities. The PS thanked the developmental partners who have already pledged their support for the assessment, which will be carried out this year. The PS emphasised the importance of cooperation and coordination among all stakeholders to ensure the success of the assessment.
The PS stated that he hoped the pre-assessment meeting would serve as a forum for collaboration and cooperation between the government and development partners, leading to more effective support for vulnerable groups in the country. The discussion would be a key input to the design and implementation of the assessment, which would in turn lead to better social protection measures for those in need.
Zandile Mavuso, the Disaster Manager at the DPMO, said the vulnerability assessment exercise is designed to gather information that will inform programming and policy development in the country. Given the ever-changing nature of vulnerability, the assessment is conducted on an annual basis to provide the most up-to-date information. The assessment is scheduled to begin in May 2024 and the findings will be shared publicly.
