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Geospatial Tools and Remote Sensing Strategies for Timely Humanitarian Response: A Case Study on Drought Monitoring in Eswatini

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  • Jean-Claude Baraka Munyaka

    (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) Faculté de L’environnement Naturel, Architectural et Construit (ENAC) Institut D’ingénierie de L’environnement (IIE) Communauté d’Études Pour L’Aménagement du Territoire (CEAT) Bâtiment BP–Station 16, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland)

  • Jérôme Chenal

    (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) Faculté de L’environnement Naturel, Architectural et Construit (ENAC) Institut D’ingénierie de L’environnement (IIE) Communauté d’Études Pour L’Aménagement du Territoire (CEAT) Bâtiment BP–Station 16, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
    Université Mohammed VI Polytechnique (UM6P) Center of Urban Systems (CUS), Ben Guerir 43150, Morocco)

  • Sizwe Mabaso

    (Faculty of Science & Engineering, Department of Geography, Environmental Science & Planning (GEP), University of Eswatini, Kwaluseni M201, Eswatini)

  • Samkele Sikhulile Tfwala

    (Faculty of Science & Engineering, Department of Geography, Environmental Science & Planning (GEP), University of Eswatini, Kwaluseni M201, Eswatini)

  • Anil Kumar Mandal

    (Independent Researcher, Boca Raton, FL 33432, USA)

Abstract

This article explores the escalating impact of natural disasters, particularly droughts, in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), with a specific focus on Eswatini. Over the last century, approximately 63 million people in SADC countries have been affected by droughts, leading to challenges in agriculture, livestock losses, and severe food and water shortages. Despite being the smallest SADC nation, the Kingdom of Eswatini faces disproportionate consequences due to its susceptibility to climate variability, particularly drought. The inadequacy and unreliability of rainfall have resulted in a drastic reduction in food production, with maize, a staple crop, experiencing a 70% decline. This adverse trend, spanning three decades, has heightened the vulnerability of farmers to climatic shocks, hindering sustainable agricultural development and impeding poverty alleviation efforts. To address the growing threat of drought in the kingdom, a comprehensive approach is imperative, involving coordinated plans and the development of swift humanitarian relief strategies. This study utilized remote sensing technologies to monitor drought and assess its repercussions, evaluating the impact on agricultural production. Additionally, geospatial tools, including Open Route Service (ORS) and Near Neighbor Analysis algorithms, were employed to optimize humanitarian supply chain logistics. Results from the analysis, including Vegetation Health Index (VHI) fluctuations and drought severity mapping, reveal that 1990 was the year the kingdom was most severely hit by drought. This study also found that smallholder farmers practicing rainfed agriculture in vulnerable regions, such as the lower Middleveld and western Lowveld, suffered the severe socioeconomic consequences of agricultural drought, including income loss, food insecurity, and migration patterns. Through this integrated approach, decision makers can engage in targeted interventions, focusing on farming areas needing irrigation infrastructures or populated areas requiring a coordinated humanitarian response amidst climate variability.

Suggested Citation

  • Jean-Claude Baraka Munyaka & Jérôme Chenal & Sizwe Mabaso & Samkele Sikhulile Tfwala & Anil Kumar Mandal, 2024. "Geospatial Tools and Remote Sensing Strategies for Timely Humanitarian Response: A Case Study on Drought Monitoring in Eswatini," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-21, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:1:p:409-:d:1312245
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. A. K. Mandal & Madan Thapa Chhetri & Fred Bloetscher & Yan Yong & Hongbo Su, 2025. "Semi-automated workflow for multi-basin, multi-scenario flood risk modeling, mapping, and impact assessment," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 121(12), pages 14425-14441, July.
    2. Osman Elmakki, Ph.D., 2024. "From Relief to Resilience: The Dual Role of Humanitarian Assistance in Alleviating Poverty and Fostering Sustainable Development," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 8(12), pages 1952-1978, December.
    3. John Adekunle Adesina & Yuanyuan Liu & Xiaolan Tang & Yujie Ren, 2024. "Assessing the Impact of Geospatial Susceptibility on the Rural Agricultural Landscapes of Village Settlements in Southwestern Nigeria," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-24, October.
    4. Jean-Claude Baraka Munyaka & Olivier Gallay & Mohammed Hlal & Edward Mutandwa & Jérôme Chenal, 2024. "Optimizing the Sweet Potato Supply Chain in Zimbabwe Using Discrete Event Simulation: A Focus on Production, Distribution, and Market Dynamics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-29, October.

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