Swaziland har næsten ingen penge i statskassen trods store besparelser i Afrikas sidste enevældige kongedømme, som især har ramt de mange fattige.
Swaziland’s fiscal crisis threatens the tiny Southern african country’s progress towards reaching the millennium development goals (2015 Målene) in health, education and food security, the United Nations said on Friday.
The UN warned that delays and some reductions of government spending in the social sector as well as cuts in labour income had worsened poverty by putting an additional strain on the poorest households, especially families affected by HIV and Aids in young people.
The UN assessment was based on a nation-wide survey of 1.334 households carried out in November 2011.
It aimed to provide systematic evidence on the impact and responses to the fiscal crisis in Swaziland on people’s lives.
The findings suggested that one in four households suffered shocks such as rising food prices and loss in labour income and that households adopted severe coping strategies in response to the shocks, such as cuts in food consumption, with some families skipping meals for an entire day.
It was also found that families made changes to modes of transport and have had reduced access to services. The report showed that households with members living with HIV were at greater risks to shocks and relied more on cheaper meals or skipped meals all together.
Verdens højeste andel af hiv-smittede
Swaziland entered the crisis with already major social challenges including the highest HIV rate in the world, high unemployment (29 per cent of the labour force in 2010), widespread poverty (63 per cent of the population) and food insecurity (29 per cent of the population).
About a quarter of the employed were working in vulnerable employment, that is either self-employed or working for family businesses.
The situation is aggravated by a high rate of youth (ages 15 – 24) unemployment at 52 per cent. At more than half of the labour force, youth unemployment is alarmingly high and needs to be addressed.
The country’s fiscal crisis, worsened by a dramatic drop in the South African Customs Union (SACU) revenue, and the global economic crisis, has significantly reduced government spending, especially in social sector programmes already targeting the poorest.
In 2011, social grants including the elderly grant (pension), child welfare grant, orphan and vulnerable child education grant, as well as public assistance grant, were suspended or delayed.
By August, only about one third of primary school fees for orphans and vulnerable children, part of the government’s commitment to roll out free primary school, had been paid.
In the health sector, some maternal health services were interrupted and a national HIV prevention campaign was put on hold due to a lack of funds.
FN håber, der nu sker noget
“This assessment comes at a critical time for the country, when the poorest and most vulnerable, especially children, are facing increasing hunger and poverty. We hope that the findings will better inform policy decisions and priority will be given to economic solutions that best serve the majority of Swaziland’s people,” said Jama Gulaid, Acting UN Resident Coordinator.
“The UN stands ready to help the government in the selection of innovative solutions and measures that best serve the people of Swaziland,” Gulaid added.
To mitigate (lindre) the impact of the fiscal crisis on the poorest people, the report argues for urgent measures to be implemented including
* strengthening public sector management to increase transparency and accountability in public budgeting and expenditure,
* develop an independent private sector, as well as
* the formulation of a national policy on employment and prioritise youth employment and entrepreneurship.
In addition, the report emphasises the need for strong commitment to social protection schemes, especially to reduce inequalities, mitigate risks and build livelihoods.
These could include development of social protection schemes against livelihood risks, such as public works programmes and improved food security.
Kilde: Swaziland Newsletter, 16 March 2012
News from and about Swaziland, compiled by Africa Contact, Denmark (www.afrika.dk) in collaboration with Swazi Media Commentary (www.swazimedia.blogspot.com), and sent to all with an interest in Swaziland – free of charge.
