Access to clean, piped water poses a concern to government and development partners following the power crisis in Zanzibar

The UN Team of experts deployed to Zanzibar is part of the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) mechanism - a system of international disaster management professionals on standby, who can be called in for support within 72 hours. As part of the response, UNICEF Tanzania has further agreed to provide 12 back-up power generators to reactivate water pumps that have been out of service since May 21st.

Already, the power supply to hospitals, schools, ministries and other public service providers has been severely affected by the crisis. A particular concern is the access to safe and clean piped water, which relies on electrical water pumps.

The UN group of experts will support the Crisis Management Team chaired by the Principle Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs. Based in the ministry, the UN team of will be carrying out a comprehensive assessment of the humanitarian impact of the crisis on the island including environmental, socio-economic and employment aspects.

Following a request by the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar to the UN in Tanzania for assistance, the specialized UN team was called in to support Zanzibar authorities.

“Without electricity, the situation in Unguja is very difficult. As partners of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, the UN has called in a team of specialized experts to ensure that the UN assist in the best way possible to address the consequences of the power outage,” said the UN Resident Coordinator in Tanzania, Mr. Oscar Fernandez Taranco.

Zanzibar’s current energy crisis began on 21 May when the power grid of Unguja collapsed due to damage of the submarine power cable providing electricity from the mainland to the island.