Tanzanian gov't sends relief supplies to flood victims

The Tanzanian government on Thursday dispatched emergency humanitarian relief supplies to over 500 residents of Mwakata ward in Kahama district, Shinyanga region, who were affected by Tuesday night's storm that left 42 people dead and 82 others injured.

Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda announced the donation of relief supplies after visiting villages affected by the calamity and injured people who were receiving treatment in hospitals in Shinyanga region, located in northwestern Tanzania.

The storm which was accompanied by strong winds and flash floods also demolished 137 houses, killed livestock and destroyed crops in Mwakata, Numbi and Mwaguguma villages.

A statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam appealed to people from across the country to donate whatever they have to the victims who were recovering from the tragedy.

The statement said makeshift centers have been created to shelter hundreds of people who were made homeless following the storm.

The statement said the government has dispatched 20 tonnes of maize, five tons of beans, 1,126 liters of cooking oil and 1.3 tonnes of sugar.

The government has also sent 650 blankets, 82 buckets of 20 liters each, 82 buckets of 10 liters each, 82 sets of cooking utensils and 82 water cans.

"Since the government has the responsibility of enabling the victims to return back to normal life, it will continue receiving donations from Good Samaritans who have been touched by the calamity," said the statement.

The statement mentioned relief supplies to be contributed as school uniforms, clothes and food.

Since the victims lost their money, there was also need to contribute building materials such as cement, corrugated iron sheets and timber, it said. Endi