Role of Tanzania Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme in flood disaster response in Hanang District, December 2023

Introduction: Natural disasters, such as floods, significantly disrupt public health systems, leading to increased risks of communicable diseases and adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to describe the contributions of residents and graduates of the Tanzania Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (TFELTP) in responding to the December 2023 flooding disaster in Hanang District, Manyara Region. The disaster destroyed 1,150 households and resulted in 89 fatalities and 139 injuries. Methods: The TFELTP team, consisting of five advanced residents and nine graduates, was deployed to the Hanang District Council on December 3, 2023. They supported four key response pillars: coordination, surveillance, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) through to January 5, 2024. A descriptive study was conducted, data were collected and verified data from various reports generated between December 3, 2023, and January 5, 2024. These reports included surveillance records, situation reports, active case-finding summaries, WASH assessment findings, and RCCE activity reports. Results: The TFELTP team conducted active case-finding across 10 health facilities, identifying 350 cases of endemic diseases, primarily acute watery diarrhoea (240; 68.6%). They established alert desks for collecting and verifying information with potential human health risk from the community and a temporary emergency operation centre in a hospital located in one of the affected wards to centralize information and coordination. Training was provided to 124 healthcare workers on integrated disease surveillance and response. TFELTP, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health staff and community healthcare workers, supported WASH and RCCE interventions, including distributing 633,615 Aquatabs® to affected households and distributing 4,500 informational posters regarding disease prevention. Conclusion: TFELTP residents and graduates played important roles in disaster response in Tanzania by complementing the government’s response and improving health security. TFELTP leveraged their expertise and skills to mitigate the health impact of the flood disaster and protect affected communities.