Coast. 41,462 flood victims in the Rufiji, Kibiti, Lindi, Kilwa Malinyi, Katavi, and Morogoro Municipality areas are poised to receive crucial humanitarian aid to alleviate their suffering.
The aid has been mobilized following a generous contribution of £200,000 by the United Kingdom, equivalent to Sh649.6 million, aimed at assisting victims of floods triggered by incessant heavy rains.
This assistance comes at a critical juncture as numerous regions across the country reel under the impact of rain-induced disasters, rendering many homeless and depriving them of basic necessities, including education and healthcare.
Among the hardest-hit areas are the Rufiji and Kibiti Districts in the Pwani Region, where over 8,000 students were unable to attend school due to infrastructure damage caused by floods.
Kemi Williams, the Development Director from the British Embassy in Tanzania, has officially confirmed the release of the funds through the Start Network disaster response network, a significant contributor to humanitarian efforts.
“These funds have been allocated to Action Aid to provide a comprehensive range of services to flood victims, aimed at alleviating their suffering in the aftermath of these disasters,” she remarked.
She further emphasized, “In response to the recent flooding in Tanzania, relief efforts are being bolstered through an allocation of £200,000 to Action Aid. This support stems from the Start Fund, to which the UK proudly contributes significantly. Our response will target affected communities, providing essential food and non-food items, and facilitating the rehabilitation of health, water, and sanitation facilities.”
Elias Mtinda, the Planning and Partnerships Manager of ActionAid Tanzania, affirmed their commitment to utilizing the funds to extend humanitarian assistance to flood victims in the Rufiji, Kibiti, Lindi, Kilwa Malinyi, Katavi, and Morogoro Municipality areas.
“Approximately 41,562 individuals from all demographic groups, including women and children, are anticipated to directly or indirectly benefit from this project,” he stated.
He outlined the diverse forms of assistance to be provided, including water storage tanks, clothing, school supplies for flood-affected students, disaster preparedness education, construction and rehabilitation of toilets in affected schools, and the repair of bridges and rural roads.
TMA Alert
In a parallel development, the Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) has issued a weather alert, warning of strong winds reaching 40 kilometers per hour and high waves reaching two meters from April 29 to May 3, this year, followed by rain until May 6 in coastal areas.
Through its statement dated April 29, this year, the agency identified the areas likely to be affected, including Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Pwani, Lindi, Mtwara, the islands of Unguja and Pemba, Lake Nyasa in the Songwe, Njombe, and Ruvuma regions.
The statement highlighted potential damages such as disruption and cancellation of maritime activities and infrastructure damage, urging communities to take necessary precautions.