Our Board Members
Ms. Maria Herman Bilia/(MSc)
Chairperson
She is a former Deputy Permanent Secretary who has more than 35 years’ experience in civil service at different portfolios. Ms Bilia served as Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of lands and housing, Regional administrative Secretary Kagera region and Assistant Director Disaster Management Department in the Prime Minister’s office. Ms. Bilia is a disaster management expert who attended his disaster management course in Cranfield University in late 90’s and attended several Disaster management courses , seminar and conference at national and international level. Ms Bilia during her tenure in the Prime Ministers office she spearheaded the drafting of Disaster management policy, the amendment of Disaster management act and disaster operational guidelines.
Doreen Kahwa (MA- Social Work)
Executive Director and Secretary of the Board
Ms Kahwa is currently RAPID Tanzania Executive Director. She is a professional social worker and DRM expert with more than 20 years’ experience of working inside and outside the country. Ms worked in Zambia and Papua New Guinea before joining RAPID TanzaniaMs Kahwa is currently RAPID Tanzania Executive Director. She is a professional social worker and DRM expert with more than 20 years’ experience of working inside and outside the country. Ms worked in Zambia and Papua New Guinea before joining RAPID Tanzania.
Mr Charles Msangi(MSc Economics)
Board member
Mr. Msangi, an economist by profession, is currently the Director of the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit in the Prime Minister's Office. He is the former Assistant Director in the Disaster Management Department in the Prime Minister's Office. Mr. Msangi holds an MSc in Economics and a master’s degree in Disaster Management. Mr Msangi has attended several international and national courses in Disaster Management, including the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) course. He is currently a member of the SADC response team.Mr. Msangi, an economist by profession, is currently the Director of the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit in the Prime Minister's Office. He is the former Assistant Director in the Disaster Management Department in the Prime Minister's Office. Mr. Msangi holds an MSc in Economics and a master’s degree in Disaster Management. Mr Msangi has attended several international and national courses in Disaster Management, including the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) course. He is currently a member of the SADC response team.
Ms. Tezra Masini
Board member
She is a retired United Nations staff who served in different countries in emergency and development set up. Her last position was Head UNICEF Sub Office in Jonglei South Sudan. Ms. Masini is a professional health practitioner with nursing background holds degree in Education for Primary Health Care from University of Manchester. Ms Masini worked for the Ministry of Health Tanzania as Nurse Teacher at KCMC and worked for World Vision Tanzania as Manager in Different Regions. Ms Masini is currently CEO of JOTEAM Holdings Limited with its Head Office in Kahama Shinyanga Region.
Ruger John Kahwa(Cert DRM, Post, grad Diploma DRM, MSc DRM)
Board member
Mr. Ruger John Kahwa is a humanitarian advisor and founder for Response and Preparedness in Disaster-Tanzania( RAPID – Tanzania), and Chairman of Disaster NGO’s Network Tanzania. He has more than 25 years international and national experience in Disaster Management, Disaster Risk Reduction activities and humanitarian coordination. Mr Kahwa has worked with Tanzania Prime Minister Office – Disaster Management Department in late 90’s to early 2000, and later joined United Nations, and worked with World Food Programme in Zambia for five years during the emergency operation in Southern Africa(Food crisis & Floods). In 2007 he joined United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs(UNOCHA) and worked in Sudan, South Sudan, Papua New Guinea, Somalia, and some parts of Pacific islands. Mr Kahwa has worked in both natural and man-made disaster, including Floods, Earthquake, Volcano, Cyclone, Fire to mentioned a few. Mr. Kahwa holds master’s degree and Post graduate Diploma in Disaster Risk Management from Free state University in South Africa and a certificate in Disaster Management from Cranfield University UK.