DISASTER DECLARATION FOR TANZANIA FLOODS

UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000017 SIPDIS AID/W FOR DCHA/OFDA, AA/AFR, DAA/AFR, AFR/EA, AND FFP/EA NAIROBI FOR OFDA SUREKA KHANDAGLE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID TZ SUBJECT: DISASTER DECLARATION FOR TANZANIA FLOODS ¶1. Summary: Much of Central and parts of Southwestern Tanzania are currently experiencing devastating floods following ongoing above normal heavy rains that have in some areas poured almost continuously since 24 December 2009. The Government of Tanzania (GoT) requested U.S. Government material and financial assistance to help provide urgently needed aid to hundreds of families of Tanzanians who have been affected as a result of the flooding. Following a review of available information, I have determined that all preconditions to declaring a disaster in Tanzania exists, i.e.: (a) given the limited resources at its disposition, the GoT needs assistance in responding adequately to the current crisis; (b) the GoT is actively seeking USG assistance; and (c) assisting the GoT to respond to this disaster is definitely in the interest of the U.S. Government and its efforts to foster and strengthen bilateral ties and reduce human suffering. I therefore request that USAID/DCHA, Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) authorize obligation of USD 50,000 to be used to fund a grant to the Tanzania Red Cross Society (TRCS) to provide immediate disaster relief assistance to those affected by the floods. End Summary. ¶2. The Disaster: Much of Central and parts of Southwestern Tanzania are currently experiencing devastating floods following ongoing above normal heavy rains that have in some areas poured almost continuously since 24 December 2009. There is immense destruction of infrastructure including roads and connecting bridges. Sections of the central railway line are impassable, hampering the country's transportation system. A significant number of wells which serve as major sources of water for family use have been flooded causing thousands of families to go without clean and safe water. Destruction of crops and pasture land was also noted in all the affected communities. Hundreds of displaced families have been put up in makeshift structures hardly sufficient to shield them from the weather's harsh elements especially the biting cold. Public buildings, mainly schools, have been converted to serve as evacuation centers for homeless families. ¶3. To date, the areas hardest hit by the floods are located in the Central and Southwest parts of the country, specifically in Kilosa district, Morogoro region, about 300 kilometers west of Dar es Salaam and Dodoma region, Central Tanzania, about 600 kilometers west of Dar es Salaaam. As a consequence of heavy rains along the highlands of Mpwapwa and Kongwa districts in Dodoma region, river Mkondoa, which meanders into Kilosa district, overflowed resulting in unprecedented flash floods within the district headquarters and in the nearby villages. ¶4. A rapid assessment conducted by TRCS local branches in the affected locations, in collaboration with the respective local disaster management committees, identified the following notable impacts of the floods: a. Kilosa/Morogoro Region: Communities in Kilosa urban and 26 villages in 8 administrative wards have been affected: i. Total population affected: more than 25,000 ii. Total Families whose houses are submerged in water: 5,605 iii. Total number of houses submerged in water: 4,699 iv. Total camps established by local government to accommodate the homeless families (mostly in schools): 23 v. Total families in camps: 1,778 vi. Total population in camps: 9,836 b. Kongwa and Mpwapwa Districts/Dodoma Region: i. Over 200 families are homeless ii. 8 deaths reported iii. Over 300 houses partially or completely damaged iv. One Secondary school submerged v. Several water wells flooded vi. Roads and a bridge extensively damaged ¶5. Initial Responses: Volunteers from the respective TRCS local branches were immediately deployed to assist in the search and rescue actions. TRCS volunteers also provided assistance and support in the re-location of victims. TRCS immediately delivered critical non-food items to victims, including blankets, mosquito nets, family tents, and first aid kits. TRCS, with support from their Regional Disaster Response Team, is currently carrying out a detailed assessment of the flood situation. ¶6. UNICEF has provided TRCS with Tanzanian Shillings 5,650,000 (five million six hundred fifty thousand) to cover the costs of the initial transportation and delivery of relief supplies. Along with the cash amount, UNICEF also authorized the release of the following relief items to TRCS: 144,000 water purification tablets, 1,500 plastic buckets, 5,000 bars of soap and 500 jerry cans. ¶7. In addition to TRCS, the GoT is coordinating the search and rescue actions, organizing the relocation of victims, has established temporary shelter in public buildings/schools, and ¶9. Another definite identified need will be housing supplies such as aluminum roofing sheets, cement, and bricks to help rebuild the nearly 6,000 destroyed or damaged homes. ¶10. Proposed Use of OFDA Immediate Disaster Relief Funding: OFDA disaster relief funding will allow TRCS to provide immediate emergency assistance to those civilian families affected by the floods. TRCS assistance will consist of non-food items, e.g., tents, blankets, mattresses and water purification chemicals/tablets. ¶11. Conclusion: As Ambassador, I hereby declare that a disaster exists in Central and Southwestern Tanzania. The disaster requires immediate attention and its magnitude exceeds the capacity of the GoT to respond. The GoT has welcomed USG assistance and it is in the interests of the USG to provide such assistance. USAID/OFDA is therefore requested to provide a fund cite so that $50,000 in IDA funds can quickly be granted to TRCS to assist in this emergency. LENHARDT