SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
In the early hours of December 3, 2023, heavy rainfall in northern Tanzania triggered devastating flooding and mudslides in Hanang District, killing 89 people and affecting 5,600 others.
Fatima, a 65-year-old grandmother, recalls how a mudslide engulfed her home: “It happened so fast. One moment, we were sleeping peacefully, and the next, we were trapped beneath the mud and debris.” Fatima used a ladder to help one of her grandchildren climb out and alert rescuers.
Flooding and mudslides can rapidly compromise water and sanitation, heightening risk of communicable diseases. CARE Tanzania needed to respond quickly but lacked both an operational presence in the area and adequate emergency funds, given Tanzania’s relative stability for many years. Media attention was also sparse, making fundraising difficult.
Thankfully, through CARE’s Humanitarian Surge Fund – which provides flexible money that can be allocated immediately – CARE Tanzania received $40,000, enabling it to distribute supplies and services to over 900 people and help stabilize affected communities alongside local partners.
Fatima’s humanitarian CARE Package included a large water vessel, water bucket, washing soap bars, underwear, clothes, laundry soap powder, and sanitary pads. Months later, these items continue to be invaluable to her and her family.
By providing flexible funding, CARE’s Humanitarian Surge Fund is helping transform crisis response, especially for emergencies overlooked by media and major donors. Even more critical, it’s helping unlock additional funding.
In FY24, over $2 million in allocations generated more than $114 million in leveraged funds – money that’s helping communities recover, improve response capacity, and prepare for disasters before they happen.