Tanzania assesses food shortage caused by heavy rains

Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said on Thursday the government was assessing the magnitude of food shortage caused by heavy rains.

"The government is ready to assist people whose food crops were destroyed by the rains," Majaliwa told the National Assembly in the country's political capital Dodoma.

The Premier said his office through the Disaster Management Department was assessing the situation to establish the impact of the rains to food crops.

"Our directive is that all affected districts are to report to regional authorities and the regional authorities should brief the Disaster Management Department on what food supplies are needed," said the Prime Minister.

He urged people leaving in flood-prone areas, especially in river valleys to vacate the areas since the heavy rains were expected to continue throughout this month and might cause flash floods.

Heavy rains in the east African nation that started last month have killed at least 15 people, leaving tens of hundreds homeless after their houses were destroyed. The rains recorded throughout the country also destroyed food crops and infrastructure. Endit