The NDTF (National Disaster Task Force) was established as measure to coordinate national response and manage disasters in Swaziland. This structure is placed in the office of the Deputy Prime Minister to ensure political commitment to responding to disaster situations.

The Task Force currently operates with a small budget from central government. It is hoped that a permanent national response office, with adequate resources will be established, with the submission of the Disaster Bill to parliament. The CANGO (Coordinating Assembly of Non-Governmental Organisations) coordinates NGOs’ efforts and in turn, reports to the NDTF.

The UN system has the UNDMT (United Nations Disaster Management Team, that is, the UN Country Team in its capacity for Disaster Management) whose responsibility is to mobilise resources for Government action in cases of disaster. The Resident Coordinator’s office is the secretariat to the UNDMT.

However, overall coordination between Government, NGOs, Donors, and UN agencies is lacking. A centralised information-clearing house is needed to systematically gather and analyse data, and to make it available to all stakeholders. Adequate financial, systems and personnel resources are needed to effectively manage, coordinate and monitor the food security situation as well as the humanitarian response.

The Office of the Resident Coordinator/UNDP has given support to the creation of a Coordination and Information Management Unit in the NDTF office. The Unit will draw upon expertise from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and Southern Africa Humanitarian Information Management Service (SAHIMS) and will provide data to the Regional Office. The role of the Unit will be to coordinate the implementation of the relief response; act as a liaison with focal points for the UNDMT, NDTF and CANGO and facilitate sharing of information between stakeholders; as well as monitor and evaluate the effects and impact of the relief efforts on the situation in the country.

Coordination, information management and monitoring and evaluation systems are being developed and logistics support solicited to enhance the operations of the Unit. A core staff is in office, while other personnel will be recruited as need and resources allow. Training of staff at NDTF will be undertaken, and IEC programmes on drought prevention and mitigation will be developed.

For more information on Coordination Structures in Swaziland contact: Lolo Mkhabela, UNDP Tel: 405-0651/ Email: lolo.mkhabela@undp.org