Fifteen million pounds (17.5 million euros) will be spent over five years to reduce preventable deaths, combat disease outbreaks and increase the quality and access of primary health services, particularly for mothers and children.
Another £12 million (€14 million) will guarantee the extension of the Family Planning Strengthening Program for a further two years to support cooperation in the area of sexual and reproductive health and rights.
The program benefits four million people and, according to the British Foreign Office, should prevent 1,400 maternal deaths, one million unwanted pregnancies and more than 200,000 unsafe abortions in Tanzania.
Finally, £5.5 million (€6.4 million) is intended to support projects related to climate change and the environment until 2026, in particular the development of clean cooking technologies, access to clean energy and urban resilience.
According to the British government, Tanzania is experiencing the effects of climate change, exacerbated by the effects of the El Niño climate phenomenon.
In recent months, heavy rains have caused flooding and landslides, displacing thousands of people and affecting social services, livelihoods and infrastructure.
Also, with half of Tanzania's population under the age of 15, the demand for sexual and reproductive health services is high and will increase in the coming years, a report said.
“The UK funding announced today will help reduce maternal deaths in Tanzania and create a safer environment for women and their babies,” said Andrew Mitchell, Foreign Secretary, who is visiting Africa.
“Tanzania's multi-disease threats and high population growth are putting enormous pressure on its health system, meaning many women cannot access the family planning services they need and need, and are vulnerable to unsafe abortions – putting their health and lives at risk,” he stressed.
After visiting Tanzania, Mitchell will travel to Rwanda, where he will participate in the 30th anniversary commemorations of the genocide against the Tutsi and visit the Nyakabingo tungsten mine to demonstrate the UK's interest in Rwanda's important minerals sector.
Jane Austen is a writer and contributor covering culture, literature, lifestyle, and society. Her work focuses on thoughtful storytelling, social trends, and the issues shaping everyday life, delivering engaging and accessible content for readers across the United Kingdom.
