Dar es Salaam – The European Union is providing €100,000 in humanitarian funding to support communities affected by severe flooding and landslides in Tanzania’s Mbeya region.
The disaster, triggered by intense and prolonged rainfall during the peak of the March-May rainy season, struck between the evening of March 25 and the early hours of March 26, 2026.
Continuous heavy rains and strong winds caused multiple landslides and flash floods, severely damaging homes and critical infrastructure in the Rungwe District. The worst-affected wards include Nkunga, Lupepo, Kawetele, and Ikuti, where homes were buried, and roads were destroyed.
As of March 27, official reports confirmed that at least 20 people had lost their lives, many of whom were children, with several others injured. Around 600 displaced individuals are currently sheltering in schools and temporary facilities.
These temporary shelters face challenges such as overcrowding, limited access to safe drinking water, and inadequate sanitation, which pose serious health risks. The disaster has profoundly disrupted livelihoods, particularly among farming households, increasing exposure to waterborne diseases, malaria, and gender-based vulnerabilities.
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The EU’s emergency funding will support the Tanzania Red Cross Society in delivering essential assistance, including shelter, clean water, health services, and hygiene and sanitation support. The response prioritises protection, gender inclusion, and community engagement.
“The operation aims to reach over 2,600 people affected by the floods and landslides across six wards in Rungwe and Kyela Districts, and will run for three months, until the end of July 2026,” according to the press release from the EU Delegation to Tanzania.
This funding is part of the EU’s overall contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF), managed by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
The European Union, together with its Member States, is the world’s leading donor of humanitarian aid. The EU is a signatory to a €12 million humanitarian delegation agreement with the IFRC to support the DREF, which primarily allocates funds to small-scale disasters that do not trigger a formal international appeal.
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The DREF, established in 1979, allows National Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies to request immediate financial support to respond to disasters, ensuring rapid relief for affected populations.
