Description of the disaster
From 17 – 18 January 2016, the Dodoma Municipality of Tanzania and Bahi district in Dodoma region experienced significant flooding as a result of heavy rain accompanied by strong winds. Five localities in the outskirts of the Dodoma Municipality were worst hit by the flood, which affected 546 families (2,800 people) of which 155 houses were completely destroyed leaving 668 individuals displaced and homeless. Locations with high number of destroyed houses include: Chamwino Ikulu (38), Chimendeli (29), Mpunguzi (35), Mlowa (27) and Nghulugano (26). In Bahi district, an estimated 526 families (2,650 people) are affected, of which 145 houses were completely destroyed with the majority of people seeking refuge in public buildings (e.g. schools) or with friends and family. Locations with high number of destroyed houses include: Chikola (56), Kinonduli (57) and Ligwa (32).
According to the initial assessment carried out by the Tanzania Red Cross Society (TRCS) branch in Dodoma, there are at least 300 displaced families (1,500 people) in both the Dodoma Municipality and Bahi district who are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance particularly essential relief items, after they lost their household belongings including food stocks, bedding and clothes, as well as access to safe water supply and latrines, after existing infrastructures were submerged following the floods. In addition, 80.5 acres of crops were submerged and 3 deaths reported in Bahi as a result of the floods.
Summary of the current response
Overview of Host National Society Staffs and Volunteers from TRCS local branch in Dodoma) and NHQ participated in the initial response which included among other things: providing regular updates to the TRCS disaster management department at the National Headquarters on the evolving situation. Branch volunteers assisted the affected families through distribution of non-food items (NFIs) for an initial 100 households from the TRCS disaster preparedness stocks and the provision of first aid related services.
In 2015, a DREF operation was carried out in response to storms in the Shinyanga region, thereafter a beneficiary satisfaction survey was carried out and the National Society (NS) have incorporated lessons learned.
Overview of Red Cross Red Crescent Movement in country The IFRC provides technical support to the TRCS through the East Africa and Indian Ocean Islands (EAIOI) country cluster office, and Africa region office, which are based in Nairobi, Kenya. In addition, there are number of short term IFRC delegates in Tanzania supporting the National Society (NS) in its response to the MDRTZ017 Population Movement and MDRTZ018 Cholera Emergency Appeal operations. Since the onset of the floods in Tanzania, there is regular contact have been maintained with the IFRC EAIOI country cluster office disaster management department.
On 19 January 2016, an alert was issued through the IFRC disaster management information system (DMIS). On 25 January 2016, an Operational Strategy Call was convened with representatives from the IFRC country cluster office, Africa region and Geneva levels and it was agreed that a DREF allocation should be considered to support the NS response.
Overview of non-RCRC actors in country The local government authorities in the affected areas have supported the affected population with food items (maize) and other non-food items (kitchen sets and sleeping mats) through the local TRCS branch for distribution. In Dodoma, the TRCS is the only active humanitarian organization on the ground assisting the displaced population with immediate relief items and provision of first aid services. Some well-wishers including member of parliament have contributed a total of Tshs 4 million (USD 2,000) for the purchase of food items . In addition, a religious organization (Ahmadiya Muslim Foundation) have also donated food items (Maize flour, juice and biscuits) for distribution to the affected population.