Tanzania’s President, Samia Suluhu Hassan, has urged for a comprehensive investigation into the mudslide disaster that struck the Hanang District in the Manyara Region, claiming 76 lives and leaving 117 others injured over the weekend. The President emphasized the need to uncover the root causes of the calamity to facilitate the implementation of effective measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
During her visit to the grief-stricken community at Katesh Primary School grounds, President Samia issued a heartfelt plea to Tanzanians residing in flood-prone areas and other hazardous locations to relocate to safer places as a preemptive measure to mitigate the impact of such disasters on both lives and property. She emphasized the vulnerability of children in unsafe areas, underscoring the urgency of ensuring their safety.
Expressing her concern for potential post-disaster health risks, President Samia highlighted the heightened risk of disease outbreaks in the aftermath of such calamities. She underscored the importance of access to clean water and adequate sanitary facilities in preventing the spread of communicable diseases and directed the relevant ministries to ensure the availability of these essential resources.
In her address, President Samia urged citizens to remain vigilant by staying informed about weather forecasts and the evolving climate patterns, emphasizing the role of timely information in disaster preparedness and response. Furthermore, she called upon regional authorities to bolster their disaster preparedness and enhance the capacity of first responders, stressing the pivotal role of these individuals in managing and minimizing the impact of disasters.
Additionally, the President announced that well-wishers had raised 2.5 billion Tanzanian shillings to support the affected communities. She assured that these funds would be exclusively allocated to assist the victims of the tragedy and detailed the coordinated efforts of the Prime Minister’s Office in managing the aid distribution.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, who heads the National Disaster Committee, affirmed the national-scale impact of the Hanang mudslide, emphasizing the unified support needed to address this crisis. He outlined the mechanisms for channeling financial contributions to the National Disaster Management Fund Electronic Account, ensuring transparent and efficient management of aid resources.
President Samia’s visit and subsequent directives showcase her administration’s commitment to addressing the immediate and long-term repercussions of the Hanang disaster, underscoring the importance of proactive measures, resource management, and cross-sector collaboration in mitigating the impact of natural calamities.
