Tanzanian Bishop appeals for
flood relief
Flooding in Africa |
The Bishop of Lindi has asked for help from “all people of
good will.”
By Fr John Waters
As the flooding in Tanzania continues, the Bishop of Lindi,
one of the most affected areas of the country, has put out an appeal for
disaster relief. Torrential rain has caused flooding in the South-Eastern
region of Tanzania since the end of January.
Bishop Bruno Pius Ngonyani has called on local caritas
groups, state authorities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and “all
people of good will” to help those affected by the flooding. His appeal echoes
another which was made by the Tanzanian Prime Minister’s disaster relief team,
who called for more donations of money and resources as the crisis continued.
At least 21 people have died as a result of the floods, with a further 21,000
people having been displaced.
Relief efforts are being hampered by the fact that rain is
still ongoing in some of the worst affected areas. A number of road bridges
have also been damaged by the floods waters, leaving some areas only accessible
by helicopter. In January one national disaster management team said that the
situation had left them overstretched and under-resourced.
Many schools have been closed to their pupils and are
instead being used as shelters for those made homeless. Makeshift hospitals and
healthcare facilities are also often based in these converted school buildings.
Up to 495 acres of farmland have also been destroyed by the
floods, leaving many people without food supplies.
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