Kudos to Government for Hanang initiative

TANZANIA: THE Government has put smiles on the faces of Hanang residents who were hit by mudslide in December 2023.

The disaster struck the hilly landscape of Hanang District, Manyara Region in December 2023, after heavy rainfall triggered mudslides and floods that washed down rocks and logs into the villages, shattering homes, claiming lives and displacing others.

It is a pity that Gendabi village, which was once a lively playground that echoed with the laughter of children, suffered devastating impacts of nature.

At last, the government handed over 109 housing units to the mudslide victims in Hanang on Friday. Kudos to the country’s administration for securing the site and constructing the houses that are in good shape and in a good environment.

The handing over of the houses is the country’s humanitarian act aimed to comfort the victims of the tragedy. As the Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said, President Samia Suluhu Hassan pledged to support the victims to enable them to resume their normal lives.

According to Tanzania’s Department of Disaster Management at least 89 people lost their lives including children and about 5,600 people were affected by the floods and mudslides. Among them, more than 700 people, including children were internally displaced and sheltered in three primary schools.

President Samia allocated 1.38bn/- for the provision of social services, including electricity, water and reliable roads, with the aim of ensuring that all houses are availed with these essential services.

Efforts were made by the Government to relocate families and reunite parents with their displaced children after the disaster. Now it is good news that the displaced people have new and good homes with smart streets.

We congratulate President Samia for her steadfast commitment to restoring homes for victims of devastating mudslides in the region and call upon the regional authorities to oversee and improve the local environment through initiatives such as tree planting campaigns and proper urban planning.

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Accomplishment of the project is a testament to the collective efforts of the government, development partners, non-governmental organisations and donors who provided essential support to ensure affected citizens regain safe and decent housing.

We applaud the government for the effort to give the affected people the houses so that they get on with their lives and activities associated with it. The spirit should live on. Let those who have been relocated to new and better residences work hard for the nation.