Government to release immediate humanitarian needs in Kahama
Fri Mar 06, 2015
The Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda has said the government would with immediate effect provide humanitarian needs to all the people who had been hit by the rain storm in Mwakata village, Kahama District.
They include food, shelter, beddings and medicines. Hundreds of residents in the village had been rendered homeless following a violent downpour that left 42 people dead and over 90 seriously injured.
Speaking to the villagers yesterday Pinda said the government is doing its best to ensure that food and the tents arrive in the village immediately.
Over 900 people have been rendered homeless while 250 of them are currently taking refuge in a local primary school.
Pinda directed the Shinyanga regional leaders and officers from his office responsible for disaster management to move the villagers to safe environment.
Meanwhile, 57 villagers out of the 91 persons who were admitted at Kahama District Hospital for treatment have been discharged.
The condition of 34 victims has been described as ‘critical’ and were under undergoing medical treatment.
Msalala Member of Parliament Ezekiel Maige donated five tons of maize, calling on the government to speed up the process of bringing food to the victims.
42 people were killed and 82 others seriously injured on Tuesday when violent downpour accompanied by ice pellets and strong winds destroyed houses at Mwakata village in Kahama District, Shinyanga Region.
Shinyanga Regional Police Commander Justus Kamugisha said 42 people died on the spot while three others died while they were undergoing treatment at Kahama District Hospital.
The rains pounded the village for almost one and half hours. Homes were severely damaged or totally destroyed by the rain.
Kamugisha said one family had lost seven members, while another lost five after trees fell on them as they were asleep in their bedrooms.
He said most of the people killed were hit by falling ice pellets, some of which weighed up to 10 kilogrammes.
Kahama District Commissioner Benson Mpesya said the district authority would continue to give the update status of the incident.
The situation at Mwakata village and the nearby villages was tense and unfriendly as the villagers mourn their loved ones.
Following the tragedy, President Jakaya Kikwete sent a condolence messages to Shinyanga Regional Commissioner Nasoro Rufunga.
“I have received with grief and sorrow the message about the death of 42 people and 82 others who were severely injured after their houses were destroyed following a heavy downpour accompanied by ice pellets and strong winds,” Kikwete said.
SOURCE: IPPMEDIA
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