Between June and September 2019, it is estimated that over 200,000 people (20% of the rural population) are experiencing severe acute food insecurity and require urgent humanitarian action in Eswatini. These include around 157,000 people being in a crisis situation (Phase 3) and 47,000 people being in an emergency situation (Phase 4). Around 370,000 people are also in a stressed situation (Phase 2) and require livelihood support. 

In comparison with last year, the situation has deteriorated, with two of the regions shifting to a more severe phase. This deterioration can be attributed to the anticipated drought, which led to farmers choosing not to plant their fields, reducing casual labour opportunities and food availability, with one-fifth of households depleting their assets or engaging in crisis or emergency coping strategies to mitigate moderate to large food gaps.

Between October 2019 and March 2020, around 232,000 people (25% of the rural population) are estimated that they will likely experience severe acute food insecurity, out of which an estimated 185,000 people will likely face a crisis situation (IPC Phase 3), and 47,000 people will likely be in an emergency situation (IPC Phase 4).