Tanzania is east Africa’s largest country and contains some of Africa’s most spectacular physical features such as Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak. The country’s population is very diverse, with more than 126 ethnic groups and languages spoken.
While Tanzania is one of Africa’s most politically and socially stable countries and has made significant strides in its social and economic development since 2000, it continues to contend with high levels of poverty. Tanzania ranks very low on the UN’s Human Development Index, presently 159th of 177 countries. More than a third of its population does not have access to clean drinking water and even more don’t have a safe and private place to relieve themselves. With sustained commitment to its national poverty reduction plan and assistance from development organizations such as WaterCan, Tanzania’s prospects of realizing its potential are bright. WaterCan has worked to provide poor Tanzanian communities with clean water and basic sanitation since 2003.
Environmental Conservation, Water Supply and AIDS Control Organization
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| Countries: | Tanzania | Canada |
| Population (million): | 39 | 32 |
| Child Mortality (under 5 years) per 1,000 live births: |
122 | 6 |
| Average life expectancy (years): | 51 | 80 |
| Water supply coverage: | 62% | 100% |
| Sanitation coverage: | 47% | 100% |
| Physicians (per 100,000 people): | 2 | 214 |
| GDP per capita (US$): | 316 | 34,484 |
| UN Human Development Index Rank (out of 177 countries): |
159th | 4th |
Meet Deo Binamungu, WaterCan’s Tanzanian Country Advisor
By Gary H. J. Pluim, Executive Director
This compelling plea rang in our ears long after the words were spoken by Mrs. Koyondo, a respected elderly Maasai woman in Katikati, a rural village located in the grasslands of central Tanzania.
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