SITUATION OVERVIEW
Since November 2023, Tanzania has been experiencing heavy rains caused by an intense El Niño and Indian Ocean dipole system. The resulting floods and landslides have claimed many lives and destroyed thousands of homes. One of the worst single incidents was a massive landslide near Mount Hanang in the Manyara region of northern Tanzania, which affected nearly 44,000 people and resulted in 89 deaths.
The rains have continued into 2024, expanding from four to eight regions: Morogoro, Mbeya, Kilimanjaro, Unguja, Geita, Dar es Salaam, Manyara, and Pwani. The floods have caused further destruction of homes, crops, and agricultural assets. In a statement to the Tanzanian Parliament on 25 April, the Prime Minister announced that the rains and floods since January had left 155 dead and 236 injured and affected 200,000 people and 51,000 households.
In the Pwani and Morogoro regions alone, 76,700 hectares of farmland were flooded and 10,800 households were displaced to temporary camps and shelters.
Livelihoods have been severely affected, with the majority of the population dependent on agriculture and livestock. This increases the risk of worsening food insecurity in a country where both malnutrition and food insecurity are projected to soar by 2023 (by more than 60%).
Damage and loss of life are expected to increase as the true scale of the disaster is understood and as more areas are reached by search and rescue teams. Rescue operations are underway with the assistance of the military, as people are feared to be buried in thick mud and the extent of the mudslides has made the recovery of bodies and delivery of aid very difficult. Road access is limited, and air transport is the only means of transportation in many areas.
In addition, Cyclone Hidaya made landfall on Saturday 4 May, bringing strong winds and heavy rains to the coast south of Dar es Salaam. Pwani, Morogoro, Lindi and Mtwara experienced heavy rainfall, with some areas receiving more than 140% of their average monthly rainfall. The Tanzania Red Cross Society took early action, deploying volunteers to help vulnerable communities prepare for the cyclone. Rapid damage assessments are underway, and the full impact of the storm is not yet known. However, initial reports indicate that damage to infrastructure, homes and livelihoods has exacerbated an already dire situation, particularly in Pwani and Morogoro.
In response, to the overall expanded floods situation the Tanzania Red Cross Society (TRCS) has mobilised over 415 volunteers in 14 districts to the affected areas to help with search and rescue, assessment, and camp management: providing essential household items, food, water, and sanitation to the displaced. But supplies are limited and much more support is needed. The Tanzanian government, supported by the TRCS, has set up nine temporary camps in three regions, which are expected to remain open until the end of May.
The government has now asked the TRCS to step up its support, and it is closely coordinating with the Department of Disaster Management in the Prime Minister’s Office.
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