Tanzania is taking significant steps to strengthen its disaster management framework through the adoption of new recovery, cash assistance and information management systems designed to improve preparedness and response to emergencies increasingly driven by climate change.
The initiatives were unveiled on Thursday during a meeting of the National Disaster Management Stakeholders Forum in Dodoma, where government officials and development partners reviewed and validated three key instruments: the Post-Disaster Recovery Guidelines, the Operational and Coordination Guidelines for Cash Transfers to Disaster-Affected People, and the Disaster Management Information System (DMIS).
Opening the forum, Director of the Disaster Management Department in the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities), Brig. Gen. Hosea Ndagala, said the measures form part of broader efforts to strengthen the country’s ability to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters.
His remarks come as Tanzania continues to face a growing number of disasters, including floods, droughts, landslides, strong winds, disease outbreaks and other emergencies that have disrupted livelihoods, damaged infrastructure and affected economic activities in various parts of the country.
“With these challenges becoming more frequent, the government has continued to strengthen policies, systems, strategies and operational tools to ensure that disaster management interventions are carried out effectively and in accordance with the Disaster Management Act No. 6 of 2022,” Brig. Gen. Ndagala said.
He noted that the three instruments under review are expected to improve coordination among institutions involved in disaster management while promoting transparency, accountability and efficiency in assisting affected communities.
The Post-Disaster Recovery Guidelines will provide a national framework for planning and coordinating recovery efforts after disasters, ensuring that reconstruction and rehabilitation activities are carried out in a structured manner.
Meanwhile, the cash transfer guidelines are intended to improve the delivery of financial assistance to disaster victims by establishing clear procedures for the coordination and distribution of support.
The Disaster Management Information System, on the other hand, is expected to transform the way disaster-related data is collected, analysed and shared, enabling authorities to make faster and better-informed decisions during emergencies.
According to Brig. Gen. Ndagala, the tools will also support Tanzania’s implementation of the Disaster Management Act and contribute to global efforts under the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, which promotes stronger risk governance, investment in resilience and improved preparedness for disaster recovery.
He said the progress achieved so far in strengthening disaster management systems has been made possible through close collaboration between the government, development partners, United Nations agencies, civil society organisations and the private sector.
Speaking at the forum, UNICEF representative Judith Bihondwa reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting Tanzania in building resilient communities and strengthening disaster preparedness and response mechanisms.
She said UNICEF would continue working with the government to enhance disaster preparedness, emergency response and post-disaster recovery systems, with particular attention to children and other vulnerable groups who are often disproportionately affected by emergencies.
The forum brought together representatives from government institutions, UN agencies, civil society organisations and development partners to discuss and validate the new instruments, which officials believe will play a critical role in improving disaster management and strengthening resilience across Tanzania.
