Tanzania: Mwanza Builds Stronger Disaster Response Network Through Awareness, Community Action

What the report says

Daily News, carried by AllAfrica, reported that authorities and stakeholders in Tanzania’s Mwanza Region are seeking to strengthen public awareness of disaster response systems after a meeting on drowning prevention exposed limited knowledge of local Disaster Management Committees. Participants said many residents do not know where to report emergencies or how the committees coordinate preparedness, response and recovery, a gap that can slow rescue work and weaken protection of lives and property.

The issue was raised at a recent stakeholders’ meeting in Mwanza, where media representatives including Jembe FM Editor-in-Chief Glory Kiwia and Mwanza Press Club executive committee member Tony Alphonce said they had only recently learned about the regional committee’s role. In response, Shilungu Ndaki, coordinator of the Mwanza Regional Disaster Coordination and Emergency Communication Centre, said the region has a dedicated centre for emergencies such as drowning, floods, fires and other disasters.

According to Ndaki, Tanzania’s disaster system is coordinated nationally through the Prime Minister’s Office, while regional committees are chaired by regional commissioners and include officials from security, health, water, agriculture, environment, construction, fire and rescue, the Tanzania Red Cross and other bodies as needed. He said the system supports risk assessment, early warnings, rescue coordination and relief distribution.

Daily News reported examples in Mwanza where the committee responded to flooding in Shigangama Village, assisting 131 affected households with food and relief items, and to a July 21 fire in Magu District that injured seven men. Ndaki acknowledged that public understanding remains inadequate and urged residents to use the Mwanza emergency communication centre not only after disasters, but also for prevention, hazard reporting and preparedness information.