UNEP, June 5, 2018

Tanzanian Vice-President applauds seawall project in major push for climate adaptation

  • On World Environment Day, the Vice-President of Tanzania marked the completion of an extensive seawall project in Dar-es-Salaam and called for further action on climate adaptation.
  • Tanzania is expected to be severely hit by climate change and rising sea levels.
  • UN Environment and UNOPS coordinated the construction of 2,400 meters of coastal defense structures in combination with widespread mangrove and coral rehabilitation.

On Tuesday morning, the Vice-President of Tanzania Samia Suluhu gave a speech in Dar-es-Salaam to mark the completion of a large-scale sea defense project along the country’s coastline.

Climate change has already led to increased temperatures and rising sea levels in this East African nation.  Without major investments in adaptation, an annual average of 800,000 Tanzanians stand to be impacted by flooding caused by rising sea levels between 2070 and 2100. Around five million people currently live in Dar- es- Salaam, a coastal metropolis at risk of flooding.

Vice-President Suluhu remarked: “The effects of climate change pose huge challenges to the people of Tanzania…through the construction of these walls in the various parts of the country, we see the importance of the project. Kisiwa Panza (northern Tanzania) was sinking but now the residents are living well and in peace. We’ve also prevented Pangani from effects of erosion…We thank the United Nations for their support.”

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