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DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT
In August 2023, the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) issued seasonal weather forecasts for expected rains (short rains) indicating that the rains in some regions will be accompanied by El Niño. On 13 November 2023, several regions were hit by floods, including Manyara, Dar es Salaam, Kagera, Geita, Arusha, Kigoma, and Unguja, resulting in 12 deaths. This followed the launch of the DREF for an assessment whose findings revealed the extent of the flooding as listed under the needs section below and informed this response strategy.
On 3 December 2023 at 06:45 hours, Hanang district in the Manyara region, which lies to the north of the country, recorded heavy rains that led to floods and landslides (mixed-in with heavy stones and trees) from the Hanang Mountains. These incidents resulted in the burial of people alive in four wards, including Ganana, Gendabi, Jorodom, and Katesh, which collectively host 44,929 people. Torrential rainfall, causing flooding and mudslides, washed away homes, cars, businesses, and farmland, impacting thousands of people and households.
As of 11 December, 130 people (41 from other regions and 89 from Manyara district) have died, 139 were rescued with injuries and attended to, while some 1,150 households (5,600 people) were evacuated to three evacuation centres (schools) in the Manyara region.
The Government of Tanzania directed the mobilisation of national resources to respond, allowing the military to deploy. Besides fatalities, the floods and landslides caused massive infrastructure damage to houses, power lines, farmland. and roads.
Severity of humanitarian conditions
1 Impact on accessibility, availability, quality, use, and awareness of goods and services.
Since the flooding was reported and as of 11 December, a total of 9,107 households (HHs) have been displaced, of which 6,202 HHs were destroyed. The flooding is now being witnessed across five regions. Although the country has responded to floods previously, the current flooding and landslides are severe, with the highest recorded deaths and people rendered homeless so far – and the risk of expanded flooding is imminent, as per weather forecasts. The highest risk is still concentrated in Hanang district, surrounded by mountains already weakened by the current rains, which poses a risk of more landslides. The floods and landslides have equally caused major damage to local infrastructure, livelihoods, and personal properties. In four wards of Hanang district in Manyara, roads and bridges were completely cut off, limiting access only by air and paralysing transport and humanitarian aid to the affected population by road. This also hampered people’s access to markets, hospitals, and other basic services. Water facilities have also been affected, including the destruction of pipelines and wells, resulting in affected populations having no access to water.
2 Impact on physical and mental well-being
At least nine health facilities have been affected, either by being flooded or rendered inaccessible, cutting off the affected populations from basic health services and forcing them to rely on medical outreach. Rescue operations are underway with the help of the military, as people are feared to be buried in thick mud, and the extent of the mudslides has made the retrieval of bodies and delivery of aid very challenging. Road access is limited; thus, air transport is being used in Hanang district, at least in the four affected wards. Tanzanian authorities are facing challenges in understanding the depth of the landslides in Manyara, how weak the mountain slopes have been rendered, and whether the rains will continue to increase.
Livelihoods have been severely affected, as most of the population depends on agriculture and livestock. This heightens the risk of increased food insecurity, in a country that has seen a spike in food insecurity and malnutrition in 2023 (over a 60% increase).
There are challenges related to less-equipped evacuation centres lacking appropriate basic water sanitation-hygiene (WASH) and sanitation facilities. Evacuees are waiting for a long time at evacuation centres to be reunited with their lost ones and struggling to get a proper meal. Staying at an evacuation centre without clarity on when the situation will normalise and facing uncertainty about where to bury your loved ones due to homes being washed away can have a profound psychological impact. There is a high likelihood of emotional distress and trauma among those who lose family members to drowning.
3 Risks & vulnerabilities
Examining the weather forecast, there is a likelihood of increased rainfall leading to more flooding and landslides across the country. There is a risk of people attempting to cross flooded roads to salvage their properties and rescue loved ones, resulting in more drownings and deaths. In the short-term, vulnerable groups include those who have been displaced and are cut-off due to the floods or damaged infrastructure.
In the mid-term, vulnerable groups include those who are displaced, have lost their homes and livelihood assets, and cannot return or struggle to initiate any form of self or supported recovery activities. Due to disruptions in water supplies, damage to sanitation, and living conditions, there is also a considerable risk related to waterborne diseases.