El Niño rains threaten Tanzania's vulnerable populations
Children, pregnant women, the elderly, and disabled face heightened risks as heavy rains are forecast until January.
Heavy rains linked to the El Niño weather phenomenon are expected to cause flooding in Tanzania, posing significant risks to vulnerable groups including children, pregnant women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. The Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) forecasts normal to above-normal rainfall until January next year, warning of potential hazards like severe flooding.
Beyond property damage, flooding can endanger lives by limiting escape routes and access to essential services. For children, disrupted education and health threats from contaminated water are major concerns. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warns that this El Niño could be severe, affecting over 347 million children globally, with an estimated 41 million in Eastern and Southern Africa facing heavy rainfall.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell stated that El Niño could lead to displacement, malnutrition, water shortages, and disease outbreaks, impacting children's lives, health, and education. Climate-related disasters have displaced over 20,000 children daily between 2016 and 2023, and disrupted education for 171 million pupils worldwide in 2025, prompting UNICEF to call for early action and investment in resilient systems.
Why it mattersVulnerable populations in Tanzania, including children, pregnant women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, face increased risks of life-threatening situations, health issues, and disrupted education due to anticipated El Niño-driven floods.