The latest Tanzanian government report on the food situation shows that from February to April, 3.76 million people - more than 10 percent of the country's population- will need 99,676 tonnes of maize food aid. According to the country's Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security the food deficit in Tanzania is linked to the failure of short rains between August and November 2005 which account for 30% of annual harvests in the country. A Rapid Vulnerability Assessment carried out by the government, WFP, and NGOs in early February identified 564,000 of the total impacted population as being destitute and in need of free food distribution. To date, the government of Tanzania has not declared a national emergency but WFP and NGOs are concerned that government resources are insufficient to meet the urgent needs of this vulnerable population. The long rainy season is now expected between March and May, but if it fails or comes too late, the number of people needing food relief could go up.

ACT member the Christian Council of Tanzania (CCT) is appealing for assistance to provide food relief to approximately 80,500 of the most destitute people in seven regions in rural Tanzania, to be distributed through its member churches the Anglican Church of Tanzania (ACT), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), the African Inland Church of Tanzania (AIC) and the Mennonite Church of Tanzania (MEN) stationed across the country. The implementation time frame for the food distribution is four months from mid-April, and is intended to provide vital sustenance until the next harvest expected in July.

Project Completion Date: 30 September 2006

Total Appeal Target(s): 741,141

Less: Pledges/Contr. Recd.: 0

Balance Requested from ACT Alliance: 741,141

Jenny Borden
Interim Director, ACT Co-ordinating Office