Tanzania: Australia Funds Food Security and Health Programmes

By Lilian Museka

DAR-ES-SALAAM--An Australian funded scheme is helping to enhance food security, reduce mother and child related deaths and improve access to water, sanitation and hygiene services in the Arusha, Coast, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Lindi, Morogoro, Mtwara, Singida, Tabora and Tanga Regions.

The 2011-12 Annual Report for the Australia Africa Community Engagement Scheme (AACES) shows how Australian Government support to NGOs in Africa has increased in recent years with a focus on helping improve peoples’ lives and delivering more opportunities to the most vulnerable and poor - especially women, children, people with
disability and people vulnerable to disaster.

Supported by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), NGOs have contributed to improving health for mothers and children in Tanzania.  World Vision formed village nutrition groups which gave cooking demonstrations for young women and mothers of young children on the proper preparation of highly nutritious food that is available locally.

 Marie Stopes Tanzania conducted family planning outreach activities in rural and remote areas, reaching over 15 000 women. In addition, some 7400 women and 430 men accessed Voluntary Counselling and Testing for HIV.

Evelyn Mkwele, a village chief in Mpindimbi-Masasi district said “Family planning has helped me to be successful in what I do because I have time to rest from giving birth and I have strength to work. So along with everything else, I keep on farming. I have done my best to make sure all my children have gone to school. I believe that by educating one child, you educate the whole community”.

The impact of the program is illustrated by the transformation it has brought to previously marginalised community members such as Evelyn. By adopting modern family planning methods, Evelyn has been able to continue farming, establish a successful bee-keeping business and ensure that all her children are educated.

Geoff Tooth, Australia’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, was delighted to hear of the findings of the Report. “I am particularly proud that Australia has been able to assist the most vulnerable groups in Tanzania: women like Evelyn Mkwele; children; people with disability;
and those facing disaster” he said today. “By supporting strong community and government engagement we also hope to contribute to greater accountability in the delivery of services to poor and marginalised people.”

WaterAid Tanzania has focussed on improvement of water, sanitation and hygiene in primary schools whereby 11 latrine blocks that are benefitting 6917 pupils were constructed. The latrine blocks are composed of hygiene units for menstruating girls, facilities for people with disabilities and urinals for both boys and girls. Hygiene education promotion in schools has reached over 11 000 pupils with evidence that children are good agents of change to the communities.

Daniel Makanika Maloda of Ikowa village in Chamwino says he is proud of his 13 year old daughter, “I have noticed that she is now more concerned about hygiene at home; she encourages hand washing and general cleanliness around our compound,” he says.

Under the food security intervention CARE and CARITAS worked with 4,436 smallholder farmers. These farmers are being supported to adopt improved agricultural practices including the use of better seed varieties, conservation farming (contour terracing accompanied with fodder crops) proper planting techniques, and natural pest and disease
management in crops. Crops that are being cultivated include cassava, maize, sunflower, finger millet and sesame. The initiative also has a gender component that is focused on increasing women’s voice in decision-making processes at the household and community level. The project also aims to enhance participation, accountability and transparency within public and private institutions that are involved in the provision of essential services including extension work, agricultural inputs, and credit.

As the largest AusAID funded NGO program in Africa, AACES supports development in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Annual Report provides an overview of the program's contribution to food security, maternal and child health and water, sanitation and
hygiene.

AusAID provides most of its aid in Africa through partners that are trusted to deliver results. AACES NGOs are encouraged to network and collaborate to achieve greater impact through shared learning and synergies. Delivering funding in this way has helped to improve value
for money and improve effectiveness.