Unified efforts as Tanzania Rallies to Overcome Flood and Mudslide Aftermath

Hanang District, Tanzania - The United Nations, in close partnership with the Tanzanian Government, is actively responding to the severe mudslides and flooding in Hanang District. Following the initial assessments reports, a coordinated and robust response has been implemented to address the critical needs of the affected people and communities.

The Tanzanian Government continues its comprehensive search, rescue, and recovery operations. It has also established designated displacement sites for relocating affected communities. In conjunction with humanitarian organizations, the government is providing essential food and non-food items (NFIs) to those affected by the disaster.

The United Nations agencies have responded quickly and are playing a crucial role in mobilizing additional supplies to assess and address the immediate needs and long-term recovery of the affected populations. Our ongoing efforts include:

• The swift mobilization of food supplies to meet the urgent needs of the affected communities by the World Food Programme (WFP).

• A central focus of the joint efforts is the prevention of disease outbreaks, with special attention to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) needs, particularly in displacement sites. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) are leading efforts to restore clean water supplies and promote health and hygiene practices. Specifically, the Deployment of cholera rapid testing kits and essential health supplies by WHO to combat the threat of communicable diseases in the aftermath of the floods; and the quick provision of relief items by UNICEF for WASH services, including hygiene kits, water tanks, purification tabs, and Persona Protective Equipment (PPE) have been essential in disease prevention.

• UNICEF has also provided various non-food items, including mattresses, blankets, sleeping bags, children’s clothes and footwear, buckets and soap and supported Risk Communication and Community Engagement, and Mental Health and Psychosocial support activities in the affected areas.

• The distribution of dignity kits by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), to support women and girls in the affected areas; the kits, containing a khanga, menstrual pads, bath soap, multiple pairs of underwear, washing soap, toothpaste, and a toothbrush, all packed inside 20 litre buckets will cater to the needs of women and girls.

The Tanzanian Government's ongoing search, rescue, and recovery operations are being bolstered by this UN support, as well as the provision of essential services and supplies in the sites established to support those displaced.

The President of Tanzania has urged proactive measures, emphasizing the relocation of communities from flood-prone areas and calling for the enhancement of national disaster preparedness and response capabilities. This unified response from the United Nations and the Tanzanian Government highlights the international community's commitment to providing relief and recovery assistance to the people of Hanang District in their time of need.

Additional Support in Kigoma Region

The ongoing rains have also affected other regions including Kigoma where the UN agencies (UNHCR, in collaboration with IOM and WFP) are addressing challenges in refugee camps, impacted by heavy rains and thunderstorms, ensuring quick improvements of the damaged infrastructure and continued humanitarian assistance.

Note to the Editor

In light of the ongoing joint efforts of United Nations Tanzania in responding to the catastrophic mudslides and floods in Hanang District, it is crucial to underscore the significant role played by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in enhancing the effectiveness of the response to the Hanang District mudslides.

For More Communication Contact:

Nafisa Didi                                                                                                           

National Information Officer

Un Information Centre

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