Tanzania

Local children watch as a USAID Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (VDAP) volcanologist and scientists from the Geological Survey of Tanzania monitor Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano.

Tom Casadevall/VDAP

Heavy rainfall beginning on December 20, 2011, resulted in floods in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city, particularly affecting the city’s lowland areas of Kigogo, Tabata, Jangwani, Ubungo, Kawe, Mwananyamala, Tandale, and Kinondoni.  The Tanzania Meteorological Agency reported that the rainfall was the heaviest since 1961.  The Tanzania Red Cross Society (TRCS) estimated that flooding had displaced approximately 10,000 people, injured more than 200 people, and killed at least 12 others in Dar es Salaam as of December 23.  Flooding also damaged bridges and roads and destroyed houses in low-lying areas.  In response, the Government of Tanzania coordinated urban search-and-rescue efforts and organized the relocation of flood-affected individuals.  TRCS deployed volunteers to distribute emergency relief items—such as mosquito nets, blankets, soap, and first aid kits—to flood-affected individuals.  On December 23, 2011, U.S. Ambassador Alfonso E. Lenhardt declared a disaster due to the effects of the flooding.  In response, USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) provided $50,000 through USAID/Tanzania to TRCS to distribute emergency relief items—including plastic sheeting, water purification tablets, soap, water containers, and blankets—to flood-affected households.

USG HUMANITARIAN FUNDING PROVIDED IN FY 2012

*(As of September 7, 2012)

East and Central Africa Region Fact Sheet #1 and map