President Samia Suluhu Hassan has decided to cut short her participation in the COP28 climate summit in Dubai to address the escalating crisis caused by widespread flooding and landslides in northern Tanzania. The death toll has now reached 63, with homes, infrastructure, and farmland severely damaged.
The catastrophe, attributed in part to the El Nino weather phenomenon, has triggered massive floods across East Africa. Tanzania's government has mobilized 400 rescue workers to the northern Hanang district, where the impact of the heavy rains has been particularly devastating. However, rescue efforts are hampered by challenging conditions, including defective telecommunications and blocked, damaged roads, according to the president's spokesperson, Zuhura Yunus.
"President Samia, who has been in Dubai for the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP28), has decided to cut her trip short and arrive in the country as soon as possible to deal with this disaster," said Ms. Yunus in a statement released on Monday. President Samia was among the world leaders gathered at the UN summit to discuss strategies for tackling climate change, highlighting the irony of the situation.
The president has not only ordered her government to cover the funeral expenses of those killed but also directed financial support for hospital fees for the wounded and temporary housing for those who lost their homes in the disaster.
In the midst of the chaos, stories of survival and loss are emerging. Fanuel John, a father of four from Gendabi village, shared a harrowing account of trying to save his family. "I quickly told my wife and kids to hurry outside, and we climbed one of the big trees. As we ascended the tree, I realized that a flood was approaching," he recounted. Tragically, his family was separated, and he hasn't seen them since.
Another survivor, Samuel Mtinda, described the sudden inundation of water and rocks in his village. "I told my wife and kids to run to the school ground. We continued to run until we found a safe spot," he said.
Flooding has long been recognized as the greatest natural hazard in Tanzania, impacting tens of thousands of people annually. Last month, heightened rainfall led to deaths and property destruction in Dar es Salaam and other areas. Crops in some regions were washed away, affecting people's livelihoods. The Tanzania meteorology agency warns that the rains are expected to persist throughout the month, exacerbating an already dire situation.
