Tuesday, 28 April 2026 – In late March 2026, intense and prolonged rainfall during the peak of the March–May rainy season triggered severe flooding and landslides in the Mbeya Region of Tanzania. In response, the European Union is providing €100,000 in humanitarian funding to support the most affected communities.
The disaster struck between the evening of 25 March and the early hours of 26 March, when continuous heavy rains and strong winds triggered multiple landslides and flash floods. The worst-affected wards—Nkunga, Lupepo, Kawetele and Ikuti in Rungwe District—saw homes buried and critical infrastructure, including roads, severely damaged.
Around 600 displaced people are currently sheltering in schools and temporary facilities, where overcrowding, limited access to safe drinking water and inadequate sanitation pose serious health risks. As of 27 March, at least 20 people—many of them children—had lost their lives, and several others were injured.
The disaster has profoundly disrupted livelihoods, particularly among farming households, while increasing health and protection risks, including exposure to waterborne diseases, malaria, and gender-based vulnerabilities.
The European Union’s emergency funding will support the Tanzania Red Cross in delivering essential assistance, including shelter, clean water, health services, and hygiene and sanitation support. The response also 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. 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).
