FOR Mzee Amos Charles Mwaole, a resident of Kisisi village in Mpwapwa District, going up to three months without a shower was once an everyday reality.
His village, severely affected by climate change, had no reliable water source, 63 years after Tanzania’s independence.
Mpwapwa is one of the districts in Tanzania that consistently faces acute droughts, forcing residents to walk several kilometres in search of water.
Mzee Mwaole, now 70, has every reason to smile, thanks to the successful United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) Local Climate Adaptive Living (LoCAL) Facility.
LoCAL is an internationally recognised mechanism that helps local authorities in developing and least developed countries access climate finance, capacity-building and technical support.
The programme aims to foster climate-resilient communities and economies by increasing investments in climate adaptation at the local level.
To date, over 10,500 people in the arid Dodoma Region have directly benefitted from community-identified projects funded by the European Union and Sweden.
In Tanzania, the LoCAL programme focuses on building local capacity for effective climate resilience measures.
It began with a successful pilot phase in the Chamwino, Mpwapwa and Kondoa districts of Dodoma, showcasing significant improvements in local climate adaptation through community-driven projects and strengthened governance.
In Mpwapwa, the UNCDF, in partnership with district authorities, implemented a borehole water connection project in Kisisi village, benefiting Mzee Mwaole and many others.
“Before this project, I could go three months without a bath due to lack of water. Now, I can bathe almost every day,” Mzee Mwaole says, his smile reflecting his newfound joy.
Another villager, Ester Gerald, recalls how she once woke in the middle of the night to walk up to 9 kilometres for water.
“Today, I enjoy better health and have more time for income-generating activities,” she shares. With the launch of Phase II of the project, which allocates over $12 million for community-focused initiatives, many more in the Dodoma Region will soon benefit.
In Mpwapwa, the drilling of boreholes and the construction of water supply networks have significantly improved access to safe water, particularly for women who are often the most affected by droughts.
In Chamwino, the solar-powered Chiboli Irrigation Scheme aims to bolster food security for smallholder farmers, while in Kondoa, the rehabilitation of the Kisese Dissa water scheme has improved both water access and agricultural productivity.
Joyce Chidawali from Kisisi village recalls her struggle for water over the decades: “I arrived here at 10 years of age and now, at 51, I’m finally seeing water in my village.” She once faced dangers, like encounters with hyenas, while fetching water, often carrying her babies.
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Kisisi Primary School head teacher Maulid Ngaganda notes the significant change in his school’s environment.
“Before this project, we struggled to provide clean facilities for our students. Now, we can even use water to plant trees and flowers,” he says.
Tanu Aidani, the local councillor for Godegode Ward, describes life before the project: “We used to walk 9 to 12 kilometres to reach distant wells, which were neither safe nor clean. Now, we have access to clean water.”
During the pilot phase, UNCDF allocated $50,000 for the Climate Change Project in Mpwapwa, according to Dr Aine Mushi, the UNCDF National Coordinator of the LoCAL Facility.
With the second phase, which began on October 1, 2024, the UN agency plans to invest $189,380 into LoCAL projects.
Dr Mushi expressed optimism about the upcoming phase, highlighting the commitment of UNCDF to continue supporting local climate adaptation.
Mpwapwa District Executive Director, Mwanahamisi Ally praised the UN initiative for choosing her district from among 184 councils nationwide.
“Mpwapwa faces severe drought and this project is a blessing,” she stated.
At the core of the LoCAL initiative is support for communities and local government authorities in identifying and implementing climate adaptation strategies.
Through capacity-building initiatives, both communities and local governments gain access to financing for climate-responsive interventions.
The programme promotes innovative, participatory mechanisms for sustainable climate action while ensuring gender-sensitive approaches.
James Charles, the Mpwapwa District Planning Officer, noted the increased awareness among residents regarding climate change adaptation.
“Our people are now better informed about the impacts of climate change and how to mitigate them,” he said.
In Tanzania, LoCAL represents a critical strategy for addressing climate change at the local level, aligning with national development and climate action objectives.
It supports commitments outlined in the Third Five Year Development Plan, the Nationally Determined Contributions and the National Climate Change Response Strategy.
As climate change increasingly threatens livelihoods in Tanzania and across sub-Saharan Africa, the LoCAL programme’s expansion comes at a crucial time.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Tanzania Resident Representative, Shigeki Komatsubara, emphasised UNCDF’s vital role in empowering local governments to implement tailored climate adaptation measures.
He urged all stakeholders to engage actively in the implementation of LoCAL Phase II, ensuring sustained positive impact. With over $12 million mobilised for Phase II, the programme will expand activities in the existing three districts and extend to five coastal districts, enhancing local governments’ capabilities in climate adaptation.
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