Between June and September 2026, an estimated 222,000 people (18 percent of the population) are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above, Crisis or worse). This marks a 2‑percentage‑point increase compared with the same period last year, rising from 16 percent (193,000 people) to 18 percent (222,000 people). The deterioration is driven mainly by irregular rainfall, persistently high food prices, reduced household incomes, and livestock disease.

Between June and September 2025, 193,000 people (16 percent of the population) in Eswatini are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity and loss of livelihood, classified in IPC Phase 3 or above (Crisis or worse). Although food security has improved significantly compared to the same period last year, the situation is expected to deteriorate during the projection period (October 2025 to March 2026). An estimated 259,000 people (21 percent of the population) are likely to face Crisis or worse conditions, representing an increase of 66,000 people compared to the current period. The Lowveld Cattle and Maize (LCM) zone continues to experience the worst food security conditions, with over 72,000 people in Phase 3 or above, followed by the Dry Middleveld (DMV) and the Lubombo Plateau (LP) with nearly 30,000 people and more than 9,400 people in Phase 3 or above respectively. These numbers demonstrate persistently high food insecurity levels.