Nearly 1.9 million Tanzanians are set to benefit from enhanced disaster preparedness and response mechanisms following the approval of a $300 million financing package by the World Bank. The funding, announced on Monday, June 9, comprises $100 million in Development Policy Financing to support national budgets and $200 million under the Catastrophe Deferred Drawdown Option, providing immediate access to liquidity in the event of a major disaster. The initiative aims to fortify Tanzania’s economic resilience and institutional readiness against climate shocks, fiscal volatility, and natural hazards. According to the World Bank, the credit will help implement existing national frameworks for climate and disaster risk management, while also improving technical capacities and inter-agency coordination at all levels of government.
Tanzania’s growing population and economic footprint have made the country increasingly vulnerable to disasters such as floods, droughts, and disease outbreaks. The World Bank emphasized that this financing will serve as a strategic buffer, ensuring that disaster responses are more efficient, better coordinated, and less dependent on external emergency appeals.