Storm Costs Tax Payers E76 Million

Mbabane — The Government of Eswatini has allocated E76 million to rebuild houses damaged during recent storms, according to an official statement released by the Prime Minister.

The funds, announced on the government’s official page, will be used to repair and reconstruct homes in communities affected by heavy rains and windstorms that hit various regions of the country earlier this year.

In his statement, the Prime Minister said the government has “set aside E76 million to ensure that affected families are assisted with rebuilding and repairs.” He noted that the support will be coordinated through relevant ministries and disaster response units.

The allocation follows reports from local councils and emergency services confirming significant damage to residential properties during the seasonal storms. In several communities, roofs were torn off, walls cracked, and entire sections of houses collapsed under the force of strong winds and flooding.

According to the official update, the rebuilding programme will prioritise the most vulnerable households, including those headed by elderly people, people with disabilities, and low-income families lacking insurance or other forms of disaster support.

The government stated that the funds will cover materials, labour costs, and logistical support needed to restore homes to safe living conditions. It also confirmed that local contractors and skilled workers will be engaged to carry out the reconstruction work.

In addition to housing support, authorities said they are working with regional disaster management teams to assess infrastructure damage and coordinate relief supplies where needed.

The new funding commitment comes as several communities continue recovery efforts from the storms earlier in the year. Residents in affected areas welcomed the announcement, saying assistance is urgently needed after months of displacement or makeshift shelter arrangements.

Officials stressed that the rebuilding programme is part of wider disaster response efforts to strengthen resilience and provide immediate relief to affected families.

Details on the rollout of the programme — including timelines and beneficiary lists — are expected to be published by the Ministry of Housing and Community Development in the coming weeks.

The E76 million allocation is one of the largest single disaster-response investments announced this year, and government officials say it reflects a renewed focus on ensuring that citizens affected by severe weather events receive timely and tangible support.

Sources

• Government of Eswatini – Official Statement from the Prime Minister (government social page)

• World Bank – Climate Risk Country Profile: Eswatini (context on storm and climate risk)
  https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/eswatini