Unguja. Zanzibar is set to benefit from a substantial €1.2 million (over Sh3.5 billion) in technical assistance aimed at building climate-resilient urban infrastructure.
The funding comes as part of a broader program led by EIB Global to assist East African cities in developing sustainable urban projects that address climate change and environmental challenges.
This initiative, primarily funded through the City Climate Finance Gap Fund, is designed to help cities develop early-stage climate projects that can eventually attract financing for full-scale implementation.
The cities benefiting from this technical assistance include not only Zanzibar but also various cities in Kenya, Uganda, and other parts of Tanzania.
For Zanzibar, the primary focus of the EIB Global assistance is analyzing wastewater treatment options for Stone Town, the island’s historic and densely populated urban center.
The technical support will involve assessing various alternatives for wastewater treatment, identifying the most effective solution, and formulating a comprehensive action plan for implementation.
This is a crucial step for Zanzibar as it seeks to address the growing challenge of water and sanitation in the face of increasing urbanisation and climate impacts.
In addition to wastewater treatment, the program will offer capacity-building measures to ensure that local authorities have the expertise and tools needed to manage and implement these projects effectively.
While Zanzibar takes center stage with its wastewater treatment plans, the program also extends support to other cities in the region.
From Kenya’s Kisumu and Malindi to Uganda’s Makindye, the technical assistance targets key urban issues such as solid waste management, flood mitigation, and sustainable mobility.
The program includes evaluating waste-to-energy solutions, promoting non-motorised transport options, and enhancing green spaces through urban forestry initiatives.
EIB Global’s role in this partnership is to provide cities with the technical expertise needed to design investment-ready climate projects. The aim is to help cities bridge the financing gap that often hinders the implementation of crucial climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.
As climate change continues to exacerbate urban challenges, Zanzibar’s engagement in this program marks a critical step towards building a more resilient and sustainable future.
The city’s efforts to address wastewater treatment, combined with wider initiatives for waste management and green infrastructure, will ensure that Zanzibar is better equipped to handle the climate-related stresses of tomorrow.
According to EIB Vice President Thomas Ostros, “Cities and local governments play a key role in fighting climate change because they experience its effects the most. However, they often struggle to develop climate-resilient infrastructure, mainly due to a lack of resources and expertise to create strong, investment-ready projects. Through its support for the Gap Fund, the EIB helps cities bridge these gaps and prepare effective climate projects.”
The European Investment Bank’s support is providing the tools and expertise that will help cities like Zanzibar not only tackle the challenges posed by climate change but also take proactive steps towards a more resilient, green urban future.
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Tanzania Confirms Outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease
Dodoma — Tanzania today confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the northwestern Kagera region after one case tested positive for the virus following investigations and laboratory analysis of suspected cases of the disease.
President of the Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, made the announcement during a press briefing alongside World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in the country’s administrative capital Dodoma.
“Laboratory tests conducted in Kabaile Mobile Laboratory in Kagera and later confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one patient as being infected with the Marburg virus. Fortunately, the remaining suspected patients tested negative,” the president said. “We have demonstrated in the past our ability to contain a similar outbreak and are determined to do the same this time around.”
A total of 25 suspected cases have been reported as of 20 January 2025, all of whom have tested negative and are currently under close follow-up, the president said. The cases have been reported in Biharamulo and Muleba districts in Kagera.
“We have resolved to reassure the general public in Tanzania and the international community as a whole of our collective determination to address the global health challenges, including the Marburg virus disease,” said H.E President Hassan.
WHO is supporting Tanzanian health authorities to enhance key outbreak control measures including disease surveillance, testing, treatment, infection prevention and control, case management, as well as increasing public awareness among communities to prevent further spread of the virus.
“WHO, working with its partners, is committed to supporting the government of Tanzania to bring the outbreak under control as soon as possible, and to build a healthier, safer, fairer future for all the people of Tanzania,” said Dr Tedros. “Now is a time for collaboration, and commitment, to protecting the health of all people in Tanzania, and the region, from the risks posed by this disease.”
Marburg virus disease is highly virulent and causes haemorrhagic fever. It belongs to the same family as the virus that causes Ebola virus disease. Illness caused by Marburg virus begins abruptly. Patients present with high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. They may develop severe haemorrhagic symptoms within seven days.
“The declaration by the president and the measures being taken by the government are crucial in addressing the threat of this disease at the local and national levels as well as preventing potential cross-border spread,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Our priority is to support the government to rapidly scale up measures to effectively respond to this outbreak and safeguard the health of the population,”
Tanzania previously reported an outbreak of Marburg in March 2023 – the country’s first – in Kagera region, in which a total of nine cases (eight confirmed and one probable) and six deaths were reported, with a case fatality ratio of 67%.
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In the African region, previous outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda.
Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials. Although several promising candidate medical countermeasures are currently undergoing clinical trials, there is no licensed treatment or vaccine for effective management or prevention of Marburg virus disease. However, early access to treatment and supportive care – rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids – and treatment of specific symptoms, improve survival.
Source: allafrica.com
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