Tanzania is taking steps to reinforce its disaster preparedness systems as government officials and key stakeholders convened in Dodoma today to review the draft National Emergency Plan designed to address drought, floods, and other seasonal hazards.
Opening the Disaster Management Stakeholders’ Forum, Brigadier General Hosea Ndagala, Director of the Disaster Management Department in the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy, Parliament and Coordination), called for full participation from all stakeholders to ensure the plan is comprehensive and actionable.
Brigadier General Ndagala emphasized that the country must be ready to respond proactively to anticipated weather-related risks following the seasonal forecast issued by the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA).
On October 17, 2025, TMA projected rainfall patterns for the period between November 2025 and April 2026, prompting the Government to prepare a draft emergency plan tailored to the predicted conditions.
“The draft National Emergency Plan has been brought before this forum so that we can collectively refine it, guided by the rainfall outlook issued by TMA,” Brigadier General Ndagala said.
“Your active participation is essential as we focus on potential impacts and the measures needed to prevent, mitigate, and manage disasters effectively.”he added
He noted that the forum provides an important platform for aligning national strategies and ensuring that disaster management systems remain coordinated and responsive.
Brigadier General Ndagala also revealed that, alongside the draft plan, the Prime Minister’s Office has developed guidelines for establishing and operating Emergency Operations Centers and Regional Disaster Response Teams.
These guidelines will also undergo stakeholder review to strengthen the country’s capacity to act swiftly when emergencies occur.
The engagement aims to produce a solid framework that enables both government institutions and development partners to work together in protecting lives, infrastructure, and livelihoods as the country prepares for the upcoming rainy season.
