Water, Climate, and Community Resilience: Lessons From Tanzania
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Climate change is intensifying water insecurity in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), yet local voices are often missing from adaptation planning. This study, conducted in low-income neighborhoods of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, surveyed 364 households to understand perceptions, challenges, and adaptive actions. While most households (85%) were aware of climate change, one in five were unaware of its link to health such as waterborne diseases. Inconsistent water access, sometimes just 1–2 days a week forces family to spend up to 37% of their income on water, with women carrying the greatest collection burden. Education strongly influenced awareness and adaptation, but only 19% engaged in deliberate climate-resilient practices. Linking these insights to targeted policies, infrastructure investment, and gender-responsive strategies offers a path toward building climate-ready LMIC communities.
