MISSION TO SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS

From 14 to 18 September 2021, Ambassador Marco Lombardi, together with the Head of Mission of Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the European Union, had a field visit in Mbeya, Njombe, and Iringa, the main cities of Southern Islands of Tanzania. The aim of the mission was to visit European and Italian aid projects in the Region. During the visit to Mbeya, the second-most densely populated city after Dar es Salaam, it was possible to visit coffee plantations that, also thanks to EU aid projects, provide raw material to Lavazza. In a meeting with the representatives of local institutions that have seen the participation of Tanzanian Parliament Vice Speaker, Hon. Tulia Ackson, it was presented the support activity of the Italian NGO “Comunità Solidali nel Mondo” to children with special needs. The Delegation could visit EU agricultural aid projects in Njombe that are assisting local communities. The Embassy of Italy and the EU Delegation in Tanzania have organized in Iringa a symposium where the representatives of Italian NGOs such as Africa-CUAMM, Sant’Egidio, CEFA, CALL AFRICA e IBO could present their activities to the local Authorities. Lombardi, in thanking the EU Delegation to Tanzania for organizing such an important mission, underlined that it was a great opportunity for presenting Italian NGOs activities in the region to local Authorities and competent EU bodies for the financing of European aid projects in Tanzania.