In 2019, following a Lessons Learned Exercise and a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) training, Tanzania accelerated efforts to strengthen its disaster preparedness. This marked the beginning of a broader effort to build institutional capacity and improve coordination across sectors. In 2020, the Government of Tanzania conducted a PDNA after the Tanga floods, reinforcing the importance of coordinated, data-driven approaches to disaster response. These efforts laid the foundation for long-term collaboration with the World Bank and other partners.

By 2022, the country had developed a National Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan and a Disaster Communication Strategy, providing a national framework for anticipating, managing, and communicating during emergencies. These frameworks were shaped through technical assistance and capacity-building efforts that supported the development of a more resilient and responsive system.

A major milestone came with the establishment of the national Emergency Operations and Communication Center (EOCC) in Dodoma, managed by the Prime Minister’s Office. The EOCC coordinates real-time monitoring and response to disasters such as floods, droughts, and epidemics. It integrates data from key agencies and issues alerts through SMS, media, and digital platforms. While the center remains basic in infrastructure, the work done to date has been substantial. The Dodoma EOCC is integrated into the African Union's Africa Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Early Action System (AMHEWAS) program and  supported by various national and international partners, including the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, the CIMA Research Foundation, the African Union, and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). In June 2024, the EOCC Situation Room was inaugurated, enabling real-time hazard monitoring and analysis, and facilitating collaboration with regional and continental centers for cross-border disaster coordination. Complementing these efforts, the World Bank and GFDRR have supported the Dar es Salaam Multi-Agency Emergency Response Team (DarMAERT) and Plan which has laid the groundwork for localized emergency coordination. Hosted at the Ilala Fire Station, the Dar es Salaam Emergency Operations Center now activates during emergencies to bring together multiple agencies for coordinated response. 

In 2024, GFDRR provided technical advice for the assessment of the legal and institutional framework for emergency management and contributed to readiness benchmarks developed under the recently approved $200 million Cat-DDO. Tanzania’s disaster risk management framework is anchored in the National Disaster Management Policy and the Disaster Management Act. These instruments mandate the establishment of Disaster Management Committees at all administrative levels and emphasize the use of modern technology in early warning systems. The EOCC’s Situation Room, for instance, uses digital platforms like MyDewetra to co-produce bulletins and forecasts in collaboration with the Tanzania Meteorological Authority and the Ministry of Water.

The country’s early warning system is coordinated by the Prime Minister’s Office – Disaster Management Department and involves a network of institutions responsible for monitoring meteorological, geological, hydrological, health, and animal-related hazards. Alerts are disseminated through bulk SMS, email, television, radio, social media, and WhatsApp groups. The emergency number 190, provided by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority, ensures that alerts are accessible to all, free of charge.

While progress has been substantial, challenges remain. Functional emergency operations centers are still lacking at the sub-national level, and the implementation of cell broadcast technology is ongoing. To address some of these gaps, Tanzania has developed its own roadmap for implementing the United Nation’s Early Warning for All (EW4ALL), which includes the development of a disaster management information system, establishment of regional emergency operation centers and response teams, and capacity building on the use of climate vulnerability mapping tools.

Tanzania’s experience shows that even in countries with limited initial engagement, a single assessment—when paired with the right support—can catalyze meaningful change. In Tanzania’s case, it was a PDNA that served as the catalyst. What followed was a sustained effort to build systems, strengthen institutions, and improve coordination. Support from partners such as GFDRR has helped guide and enable this progress.