President Samia donates essential supplies to Same District flood victims

KILIMANJARO: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has donated food supplies, soap and other essential items to victims of the recent floods in Same District, Kilimanjaro Region.

The aid was presented on her behalf by the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy, Parliament and Coordination), Ms Ummy Nderiananga, during a handover ceremony held in Maore Ward, Same District, on Monday.

Speaking at the event, the Deputy Minister highlighted that, in addition to the donations, the President had instructed disaster experts from the Prime Minister’s Office to visit Same District. Their task will be to conduct an assessment and advise the government on measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“In light of the significant challenges caused by the recent floods in Same District, President Samia has donated food supplies, including maize and other essential living items,” said Ms Nderiananga. “She has also directed disaster experts to assess the situation and advise the government on what actions can be taken to mitigate such events in the future. Already, two experts from the Prime Minister’s Office have arrived to conduct the assessment.”

Ms Nderiananga added that the initial batch of supplies would benefit all affected families. She also assured the public that the government would continue to provide assistance based on the advice of the disaster experts.

Responding to a request from Maore Ward Councillor Mr Rashid Juma, who spoke on behalf of the ward’s residents, Ms Nderiananga confirmed that the government would coordinate with relevant authorities to provide seeds to farmers whose crops were destroyed by the floods. This assistance will allow them to replant their fields.

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During the relief donation event, Same District Commissioner, Ms Kasilda Mgeni provided further details on the damage caused by the floods.

She reported that 34 houses were completely destroyed and were no longer fit for habitation and more than 200 acres of crops were lost. The hardest-hit areas included Bombo, Mtii, Vuje, Lugulu and Maore wards.

“In addition to the six deaths reported during the floods, the affected areas lost a total of 202 acres of paddy and 58 acres of maize,” Ms Mgeni said.

Earlier, Councillor Mr Rashid Juma had informed the Deputy Minister and her team that, in addition to the 34 houses that were destroyed, 375 houses had been submerged by floodwaters.

He noted that 17 households had been forced to relocate to other areas as their homes were no longer habitable. He also pointed out that the local clean and safe water infrastructure had been severely damaged.

Mr Juma expressed gratitude to President Samia and the government for their support and urged the relevant authorities to provide seeds for farmers to replace the crops lost in the floods, especially in Muheza and Kadando villages.

“90 per cent of the population in the affected areas are farmers,” Mr Juma said. “By providing us with maize and paddy seeds, the government will offer us a much-needed lifeline. This support will bring hope to the farmers as they recover from the devastating impact of the floods.”