The Directors of ZAP feel that our supporters and well-wishers would appreciate being informed of any news we receive about the power crisis in Zanzibar - in particular as to how it is affecting the community with which we are closely involved. However, we would like to emphasise that news bulletins such as this are absolutely NOT an appeal for funds; you are on our mailing list because you have been kind enough to support ZAP - a small 'hands on' charity doing its best to help a village (pop. approx 8,000) in Zanzibar.
The situation is far worse than was at first realised. A complete breakdown of the main power supply between the Tanzanian mainland and Zanzibar island has occurred, and in the long term a new pipeline must be installed.
In the present extremely serious situation, ZAP is able to do no more than release emergency funds ($1500 this week) to alleviate the appalling hardship which the people of Jambiani are currently suffering. We shall continue to release funds as long as we are able to do so without seriously jeopardising our main ZAP Projects. However, wholesale aid on a scale which is desperately needed at the present time is quite beyond the scope of a small charity such as ours.
Many meetings are taking place in Dar es Salaam and in Zanzibar, some under the auspices of the UN, and including Tanzanian and Zanzibar government ministers, and representatives from Norway, Denmark, Switzerland and Great Britain. This is an extract from a letter written to ZAP from the British High Commission in response to our plea for more urgent funds:
‘Dfid (Department for International Development UK)are aware that Jambiani is one of the least well provided for communities across Zanzibar, but for UK government support we must first see the GoT / UN needs assessment across Zanzibar in order to ensure optimal dispersal of our funds for appropriate, sustainable and responsible input’
Sadly, this does not fill us with confidence.
We shall continue to lobby for emergency funds to be released to help the people of Jambiani, which is particularly badly hit, and for recognition by major players in the charity world of the suffering in a corner of Africa which seems – for some unknown reason – to be completely beneath their radar.
A fuller report can be found by clicking the link below. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for the kind and helpful responses we have received from many of you.
