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The climate emergency is severely compromising essential aid initiatives in rural Tanzania, as rising temperatures and extreme weather patterns increasingly threaten public health, nutrition, and agricultural productivity. A recent visit to the Ulaya Area Programme—operated by the international charity World Vision—reveals that the effects of climate change are undermining years of development efforts aimed at improving the lives of 27,000 people across 13 villages in the Kilosa District.
The Impact of Climate Change on Daily Life
In the village of Madudumizi, the opening of a new clinic funded by World Vision has dramatically improved access to healthcare for pregnant women and children. Previously, villagers faced a perilous journey, often crossing dangerous rivers to reach the nearest medical facility. Salma, a pregnant mother of three, recounts past tragedies where women lost their lives en route to care. The clinic, established as part of a 20-year development programme, has transformed healthcare access in the region. However, the benefits of such initiatives are increasingly jeopardised by the worsening climate crisis.
The Ulaya programme is just a fraction of World Vision’s broader operations in Tanzania, where the organisation allocated approximately $48 million last year to assist millions of vulnerable children. Despite rapid economic growth—recorded at 6.2 per cent in early 2026—nearly half of Tanzania’s population of 70 million lives on less than $3 a day. This stark reality underscores the importance of NGOs like World Vision in combating maternal mortality and malnutrition.
Escalating Climate Challenges
In recent years, rural communities in Tanzania have experienced what many describe as “climate whiplash,” where traditional weather patterns have become erratic. Elisei Chilala, the Ulaya Area Programme coordinator, explains that the rainy seasons have become more unpredictable, with floods now occurring with alarming frequency. Once considered rare, major flooding events have struck the region multiple times in recent years, with significant occurrences in 2020, 2024, and 2026.
“98 per cent of the local population rely on rain-fed agriculture, making them especially vulnerable to climate fluctuations,” Chilala notes. The effects of these changes are palpable, as floods have damaged crops and disrupted livelihoods, while infrastructure such as roads and bridges are increasingly compromised by extreme weather. Leonard Slaa, a recently appointed advisor to the Ulaya team, highlights that “climate denialism does not exist here in Tanzania, as the impacts are painfully evident to everyone.”
Health and Nutrition Under Threat
The health implications of climate change are stark. At the Madudumizi clinic, Nurse Ida notes a rise in illnesses such as malaria and respiratory infections following flooding events. “The floodwaters create stagnant pools where mosquitoes breed, leading to higher malaria rates,” she explains. Additionally, the disruption of healthcare services due to slashed aid budgets complicates efforts to combat these health issues. Unfortunately, essential treatments are becoming increasingly scarce.
In the neighbouring village of Zombo, local mothers express concern over the potential for renewed malnutrition among their children. With harvests already weakened by extreme weather, many families fear they will struggle to provide adequate nutrition. “We are worried about the future,” says Rehema, a mother of five. “The weather is changing, and we do not know what food we will have.”
World Vision has made strides in educating the community about nutrition, but ongoing climate challenges threaten to reverse these gains. Coupled with the drying up of shallower boreholes used for water supply, the situation is precarious. As Leonard points out, “existing boreholes are running dry, and the impact of climate change is making it harder for communities to access clean water.”
Adapting to a Changing Climate
Faced with these mounting challenges, World Vision is focusing on adaptive strategies to bolster community resilience. Initiatives include training farmers in sustainable practices and distributing seeds for climate-resilient crops. “We aim to transform traditional farming practices, enabling farmers to withstand climate shocks,” Slaa explains.
However, the escalating climate crisis poses a broader threat, leading to conflicts between farmers and pastoral communities over dwindling resources. Tensions have already begun to surface, with farmers and herders clashing as floodwaters and soil erosion diminish traditional grazing lands. The government is trying to address this by introducing a compensation scheme for farmers whose land is accessed by herders, but the effectiveness of such measures remains uncertain.
Why it Matters
The plight of rural communities in Tanzania serves as a microcosm of the far-reaching implications of climate change across Sub-Saharan Africa. As environmental conditions deteriorate, the struggle for basic resources intensifies, exacerbating poverty and inequality. The responses from NGOs like World Vision illustrate a critical commitment to sustainable development, yet the urgency for comprehensive, climate-smart policies is greater than ever. The future of millions hangs in the balance as the world grapples with the realities of a warming planet.
