The humanitarian issues of gravest current concern in Swaziland are the HIV-AIDS crisis, chronic food insecurity and Protection concerns relating to recent protests. The adult HIV/AIDS prevalence rate, at 25.9%, is the highest in the world. Food insecurity is an ongoing concern due to low production and drought. The country is also experiencing a fiscal crisis.

OCHA ROSA has been supporting the National Disaster Management Authorities to strengthen response preparedness as well as working with other agencies to support long-term disaster risk reduction(DRR). Specific areas of support include:

• Training on contingency planning, risk analysis and emergency preparedness for UN and governments and supporting review of disaster risk management policies;
• Humanitarian Reform in 2008 and 2009, particularly coordination strengthening and humanitarian financing;
• CERF applications and flash appeals for drought in 2007;
• Supporting the revision of CP and capacity assessment in Emergency Preparedness and Response Information management