Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities, Prof Palamagamba Kabudi, has urged Tanzanians to take disaster warnings seriously and follow instructions from authorities to minimise loss of lives and property.
Prof Kabudi made the call in Dar es Salaam on August 19, 2026, during events to mark World Humanitarian Day, which recognises the contribution of humanitarian workers responding to emergencies and supporting communities affected by disasters.
He said disaster preparedness should not be left to the Government and emergency responders alone, stressing that communities have a critical role to play in reducing the impact of disasters.
“Public participation is important in strengthening community resilience against disasters,” Prof Kabudi said, urging citizens to rely on official information from experts and relevant authorities.
The minister said the Government was continuing to strengthen early warning systems and community preparedness to enable people to take appropriate action before disasters occur.
He said effective disaster management requires strong systems, timely information, proper coordination and cooperation between the Government, humanitarian organisations and communities.
Prof Kabudi also called on humanitarian organisations to increase public education on disaster risks, particularly by ensuring communities understand the hazards around them and know what to do before, during and after an emergency.
The emphasis on prevention, he said, would help communities move beyond relying on assistance after disasters and instead build the capacity needed to anticipate and respond to emergencies.
Prof Kabudi also acknowledged the Government’s efforts under President Samia Suluhu Hassan to support citizens affected by disasters and provide assistance during emergencies.
For his part, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr James Kilabuko, said World Humanitarian Day was an opportunity to recognise humanitarian workers for their contribution to saving lives and assisting people facing emergencies.
He said stronger cooperation among the Government, humanitarian organisations and communities was necessary to ensure assistance reached affected people quickly and efficiently.
“It is important to ensure that at every stage of humanitarian assistance, human life, safety and dignity remain at the centre of the actions we take,” Dr Kilabuko said.
The call comes as Tanzania continues to strengthen disaster preparedness, with public awareness, early warning systems and community participation remaining important tools for reducing the human and economic costs of emergencies.
