Plan helps flood-hit communities in Tanzania

Floods have driven hundreds of people from their homes

18 April 2008: Plan is providing US$50,000 of emergency aid to help some of the poorest communities in Tanzania which have been hit by severe flooding.

Heavy rainfall in the Morogoro region has led to fast-flowing floods across the area, with around 600 people driven from their homes in Ifakara.
 
They are now sheltering in primary school classrooms and are at risk of diseases such as cholera and malaria. There is no access to drinking water or food.

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Emergency needs

The affected areas are now also at risk of being cut off from neighbouring areas as many of the roads are becoming impassable, with bridges in danger of collapsing. Emergency needs are extending to potable water, tents, food, mattresses and emergency healthcare.

The majority of the people affected are extremely poor. Their meagre incomes are facilitated by small scale farming and food production, but many fields have been ruined by the waters and their livelihoods destroyed.

In other Plan areas of Kibaoni and Lumemo, people have been able to stay in their houses but their situation is uncertain.

Plan action

Plan has allocated US$50,000 to provide emergency aid for families forced to leave their homes with nothing. Bed nets treated with insecticide have already been distributed to families to help prevent the spread of malaria.

The distribution of additional relief items, including water purification tablets, mattresses, blankets and supplementary food rations is underway.