Tanzania has taken a major step in disaster preparedness by launching the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) Initiative, aiming to safeguard lives from worsening climate hazards like floods, droughts, and extreme storms.
Strengthening Climate Resilience
The initiative aligns Tanzania with East African nations such as Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uganda, pushing for universal early warning coverage by 2027, in line with a UN call to action.
A high-level consultative workshop held in Dodoma from March 19–20, 2025, brought together government officials, international agencies, scientists, and community leaders. Organized by the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) with support from Denmark, the event focused on integrating global best practices into national strategies.
Urgency Driven by Extreme Weather
Tanzania’s State of the Climate Report – 2024 revealed alarming trends, with 2024 recorded as the country’s hottest year ever. The report emphasized the need for robust preparedness, especially after Cyclone Hidaya, the strongest storm in Tanzania’s history, devastated the country in May 2024.
Deputy Transport Minister David Mwakiposa Kihenzile stressed that early warning systems are critical for saving lives, protecting infrastructure, and ensuring long-term sustainability in an era of escalating climate threats.
A Roadmap for Action
Ahead of the launch, Tanzania conducted a gap analysis across four key areas Disaster Risk Knowledge, Monitoring & Forecasting, Communication & Dissemination, Preparedness & Response.
This analysis forms the backbone of a national EW4All roadmap, guiding policy, investment, and emergency response strategies.
Tanzania’s efforts are supported by organizations like UNDP, WFP, UNDRR, ITU, and IFRC, ensuring that early warning systems reach vulnerable communities effectively. Denmark’s Ambassador Jesper Kammersgaard reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to supporting Tanzania’s climate resilience efforts.
A new national coordination mechanism will oversee the rollout of EW4All, ensuring effective collaboration and alignment with global standards. With Kenya set to join the initiative next, East Africa is taking decisive action to mitigate climate risks and build a future of resilience and preparedness.