United Republic of Tanzania

Kigoma Region has long been affected by displacements, particularly due to political instability in neighbouring Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo and due to internal immigration from densely populated zones in Tanzania, by tribes like the Wasukuma and Bahima. However, in recent years, climate change and environmental degradation have increasingly contributed to internal displacement, exacerbating existing challenges and tensions in the region, floods being the biggest trigger. Flooding in Kigoma has resulted in significant economic losses of 13-16 million USD annually, with projections indicating a potential tripling of these losses (URT, 2019). In April 2020, severe flooding in the Uvinza district experienced severe flooding, affecting around 2,000 people and destroyed over 250 houses (UNDRR, 2024). The region’s ecosystem and socio-economic fabric are under pressure, with rising lake levels, deforestation, poor water resources management and uncoordinated urbanisation among the most pressing issues.

The region’s population is frequently affected by disaster displacement, primarily due to floods. Rising temperatures, longer dry spells, more intense rainfall and increasing rise of Lake Tanganyika all increase exposure of Tanzanian populations to climate change-related natural hazards. Repeated droughts in the northern part of the Kigoma region, coupled with deforestation due to slash and burn agriculture in forested areas, have prompted increasing numbers of nomadic peoples and herders to migrate towards Lake Tanganyika in search of more extensive and better grazing areas in Kigoma district. Flooding in Kigoma has resulted in significant economic losses of 13-16 million USD annually, with projections indicating a potential tripling of these losses (URT, 2019).

While the exact causes remain uncertain, the Lake Tanganyika has been experiencing, since 2015, a rise in water levels (3 m in 10 years) which has resulted in flooding along the lake’s border, causing destruction of infrastructure and displacement of communities as well as pollution of surface and shallow ground water. Hydrological monitoring, impact assessment and research are starting but remain spread over several uncoordinated organisations. Efforts are increasingly coordinated at the regional level (Lake Tanganyika Authority) but still very centrally managed and not yet translated into a coherent response mechanism at the level of the region of Kigoma. As a result, the Port & Railway Authorities, Kigoma Municipality or Regional administration – depending from the Regional Administration and Local Government under the President’s Office (PO-RALG) – are lacking systematic topographic & hydrometric information, necessary to orient decisions in planning and investments.

The rising lake level has also flooded industrial facilities & infrastructures such as oil tanks, farms, roads and ports leading to surface and shallow ground water pollution. The National Environmental Management Council (NEMC) has inadequate capacity for monitoring and no dedicated mitigation measures are in place. In April 2020, severe flooding in the Uvinza district affected around 2,000 people and destroyed over 250 houses (UNDRR, 2024). More recently, starting in 2024, increasing ground water levels flooded a large agricultural and living zone in the center of Kigoma, Kibirizi. The water is only increasing in level and blocking large access roads and has flooded many houses. Taking into account that extreme weather events are only going to increase, Kigoma will only become more prone to the previously mentioned climate and natural disasters.

Fishing communities living in Kigoma city and certain neighbouring villages all over the coast accessible only by boat, are among the most affected by the rising lake level. Many families living near the banks and multiple activities located on the former banks now submerged, are experiencing forced displacements, loss of income and habitat, accessibility challenges due to submerged roads, land degradation and water exploited on the surface or at shallow depths, pollution risks to land, water and aquatic fauna. Port terminals and oil installations have been shut down because they are submerged in water. Landing sites and fish processing sites are often the first areas that are flooded. New health risks and consequences have not yet been assessed. Reportedly, the extreme floodings of 2024 (caused by the El Niño weather pattern) resulted in an increase in cholera cases in 2024 compared to the annual average. The social roles assigned to women place them at the frontline of climate impacts, as they are typically responsible for securing food, water, and energy for their households.

The migration patterns in Kigoma are often pendular or multi-displacement scenarios, where individuals and families move repeatedly as environmental pressures mount. These shifts blur the lines between "host" and "displaced" populations and can lead to resource-based tensions and conflicts. Fishermen and pastoralists increasingly encroach upon farmland and forests, competing with existing communities for land and water access.

IOM conducted a study on Hazard Risk and Vulnerability Mapping in districts that face climate-related hazards in: Kigoma Municipality, Kigoma District Council, and Uvinza District Council. The study found that flooding is the most severe hazard which affected fishermen, farmers, homeowners, tenants, infrastructure, including the water supply, electricity, and the famous Kibirizi fish market. The assessment identified areas more prone to floods, epidemics, water-related accidents and landslides which were ranked the three topmost among the surveyed councils. Urban development plans, particularly in Kigoma, are outdated and do not include a population management component nor mention of natural hazard exposure.

While Disaster Risk Management (DRM) efforts have started (2024), they remain mainly coordinated at the national level by the Prime Minister’s Office - Disaster Management Department (DMD). The focus of the DRM is currently also on reaction to disasters and not yet on the prediction or prevention of disasters. The action is in line with national strategies and works on aspects identified as priorities, as shown by the establishment of the disaster management department and specific contact person in the region of Kigoma. The project is strongly linked to the national climate change response strategy 2021-2026 and the national disaster management strategy 2022-2027. The national climate change response strategy focuses on strengthening climate resilience, which is strongly linked to the project’s aim to reduce the impact of climate change on the communities to avoid displacement, as well as the focus on sustainable land use and forest conservation which will be key priorities and activities supported by the Action. These two country strategies align well with the existing regional strategies especially the East African Community (EAC) disaster risk reduction and management strategy and contributes to achievement of its objective by emphasizing the need to mainstream DRR into sustainable development to build safer and more resilient communities hence shifting paradigm from reactive disaster management to proactive risk reduction. The disaster strategy focuses on resilience of communities and infrastructure, as well as on the improving the disaster risk governance and the coordination between actors, which will be a key focus of the action, including result 2 of specific objective 2.