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The Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam covers a vast area of mostly flat sandy land along the coast. Big rivers from up country's Regions pass through it flowing into the South Indian Ocean. Many villages especially in the Coast Region are located near the river and valleys where the land is fertile. Unfortunately, due to its geographical features the Coast Region is prone to flooding during the long rain seasons. This has adverse effect on food production resulting in frequent food shortages.
Our office
monitors the food situation in these areas in collaboration with government agriculture offices. Once it is confirmed that the situation demands intervention
and we have been asked to assist our Program Officer conducts a site assessment that involves conducting interviews with the affected people in collaboration
with the village leadership. When the relevant data has been compiled and analyzed an official recommendation is made to Caritas Tanzania. This recommendation includes information on areas/villages that need assistance: a list of names of recipients, type of material aid needed, mode of transportation, total amount of material aid required, material distribution plan, official permits to conduct emergency operations from relevant authority in the targeted area, and also a budget. Caritas Tanzania then provides us with the necessary materials for distribution.
In November 2002 there was a serious flood resulting from heavy rains in higher elevations far from the Coast. The rains flooded the rivers that flow into the South Indian Ocean through the Coast Region. Three people were killed and all the people living in the villages situated along the rivers were affected. Caritas-DSM was approached for humanitarian assistance in terms of clothes, food and tents. Our Project Officer went immediately to the affected area to gather information and statistics. Caritas Tanzania was then consulted and all appeals were handed in immediately for consideration. The response came very late supplying only 12% of the requirements.
In spite of the floods a severe drought for the past 3 years has negatively affected the socio-economic performance of farmers in the Coast and Dar es Salaam Regions. Currently, January 2004, three Districts have been severely affected: Kibaha, Kisarawe and Utete with a total of 40,000 people in need. Again after an investigation on site Caritas-DSM sent an appeal for 500 tons of food. When the allocation was released for the operation it was only for 40 tons. The allocation was not enough for one Division.
We have received short rains in December 2003 and rain is expected in January 2004 according to weather forecasts. Therefore, farmers have been advised to prepare the land for planting. Through Caritas Tanzania under an FAO Program we have received 91.6 metric tons of maize and rice seeds that our Project Officer is currently distributed to farmers in Kibaha, Kisarawe, .Utete and Mkuranga Districts.
At times there is a significant gap between the request for emergency aid and the actual receipt of the needed aid. If Caritas-DSM had a fund to draw on at these times purchases could be made locally and the distribution made immediately.
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by Interactive Palette
