In the days following the October 29 election in the United Republic of Tanzania, children are among the most vulnerable victims of the unrest now sweeping the country. Schools have been shut under curfew and states of emergency, making it impossible for many young ones to attend class or even study at home.
Meanwhile, families in cities like Dar es Salaam and other regions are facing food shortages because the logistics system is stalled. Staple foods like maize flour and milk have become harder to buy and more expensive, and many children go without proper meals.
The blackout of the internet and a curfew restricting movement has increased stress at home. Many parents cannot access their regular income or withdraw cash as normal, so children feel the effects directly in their homes through uncertainty, hunger and lack of routine.
During election‑related violence and crackdowns, children risk being caught in unsafe situations, near protests, in crowded areas, or with parents preoccupied by unrest. Child‑protection groups have warned that the election period already puts children at higher risk of being neglected or exploited.
For the children of Tanzania, this crisis is not just about politics, it’s about lost hours of learning, shrinking meals, and the fear they may not be safe at school or home. If the situation does not change quickly, the effects will last long after the election ends.
It is urgent that communities and authorities ensure children are fed, safe, and able to keep going to school, even during this unstable time.
