The European Union (EU) has provided €100,000 in humanitarian assistance to support communities affected by floods and landslides in Mbeya Region, reaffirming international solidarity and urgent action to address human suffering following the disaster.
The floods, triggered by heavy and continuous rainfall between the evening of 25 March and the early hours of 26 March 2026 during the peak of the March–May rainy season, were accompanied by strong winds that caused flash floods and landslides.
The worst-hit areas include Nkunga, Lupepo, Kawetele and Ikuti wards in Rungwe District, where homes were destroyed, and key infrastructure such as roads suffered severe damage.
Reports indicate that around 600 people were displaced and are currently sheltering in schools and temporary facilities.
These centres are facing overcrowding, limited access to clean water, and inadequate sanitation services, raising concerns over public health and hygiene conditions.
As of 27 March 2026, at least 20 people had lost their lives, many of them children, while several others sustained injuries.
The disaster has also disrupted livelihoods, particularly for farming households, and increased the risk of waterborne diseases and malaria, alongside heightened social vulnerabilities, including risks affecting women and children.
The EU funding will be channelled through the Tanzania Red Cross Society to deliver urgent humanitarian support, including temporary shelter, clean and safe drinking water, medical services, as well as hygiene and sanitation assistance.
The intervention will also focus on protecting vulnerable groups, promoting gender inclusion, and strengthening community engagement in the recovery process.
The initiative aims to reach more than 2,600 affected people across six wards in Rungwe and Kyela districts, with implementation expected to run for three months until the end of July 2026.
The funding is part of the EU’s contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF), managed by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
The intervention highlights the importance of cooperation between international development partners and local institutions in ensuring timely and effective humanitarian response.
It also reflects growing efforts to strengthen community resilience in the face of increasing climate-related disasters affecting different parts of Tanzania.
