Tanzania: Government moves quickly to quell impact of Cyclone Hidaya

Dodoma – PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has informed the National Assembly that Tropical Cyclone Hidaya, which hit coastal areas of the country last weekend, has claimed the lives of five people, left another seven injured and left 7,027 homes dead. 18,862 people affected.

He said the government will continue to provide humanitarian aid to people affected by Tropical Cyclone Hidaya in the Kilwa, Mafia, Rufiji and Ifakara areas.

According to him, the government’s support has involved all line ministries, regional and district commissioners’ offices, disaster management committee, as well as all key stakeholders.

The Prime Minister made this statement yesterday in the House of Representatives, while issuing a statement on the Cyclone Hidaya disaster that occurred on May 3 this year in the areas surrounded by the Indian Ocean.

According to him, among the measures taken in Kilwa district was a rescue exercise for Tanzanians, where about 4,080 people have been saved so far in different areas.

“Another measure taken is to rehabilitate the road infrastructure around the main Lindi – Dar es Salaam highway, while Tanzania National Road Agency (TANROADS) officials are on site and continuing their responsibilities, and efforts are being made to restore order on the Somanga road – Mtama Bridge so that the vehicles that are currently stuck continue on their journey,” he noted.

The Prime Minister said other measures taken in Rufiji and Kibiti districts include providing psychological services and treating post-traumatic stress disorders to 1,941 affected people (1,501 Kibiti and 440 Rufiji), as well as providing health education, child advocacy and security protection 1,023 children (583 Kibiti and 440 Rufiji).

In Mafia district, Majaliwa noted, the measures taken were to gather the families of the affected people and their neighbors so that they can obtain temporary shelter, especially the families whose houses have been surrounded by water.

In Kilwa district, the prime minister said the government had set up temporary shelter for affected families at primary schools, while citizens were currently camped at three different centres: Mchakama, Ruhatwe and Ndende primary schools.

“In addition, he said, food has been provided to affected families and the disaster management team in Kilwa district is being strengthened, including the formation of small subcommittees in an effort to increase efficiency in the coordination and supervision of the disaster that occurred. “, said. .

In another development, Majaliwa said rescue missions had been intensified by taking a Fiber Boat through the Fire and Rescue Force, from where affected people were being transported to Somanga town.

“They are healthy and services are provided timely,” he said, adding that in schools that were surrounded by water, 92 sixth-grade students were transferred to another FDC examination center. Earlier this week, President Samia Suluhu Hassan ordered the National Disaster Management Committee to provide emergency services to areas affected by Tropical Cyclone Hidaya.

On May 3 this year, the country experienced a low pressure (bad system) cyclone named ‘Hidaya’, which was associated with strong winds and heavy rain.

In the Mtwara region, people were left homeless after the disaster destroyed their houses. Until now, in Mtwara Municipality, the government continues to take measures to reunite affected families.