By Sarah Pelaji
Bishop of Lindi Diocese Rt. Rev. Bruno Ngonyani has appealed to the Church through Caritas Tanzania and other partners to help the floods victims in Lindi Region. The flooding is a due to the heavy rains the country is experiencing, affecting more especially the Lindi region in south-eastern Tanzania.
The region of Lindi has a population of 864,652, according to the 2012 population census and the majority of people live in rural areas and depend on subsistence farming for their livelihood.
Bishop Ngonyani who visited the victims to see the situation, supported them by providing for the basic emergency needs. However, he has called upon Caritas Tanzania at the Episcopal, other donor partners and people of good will to join efforts with Lindi Diocese, government and other NGOs to support victims.
Heavy rains started on 23rd January, 2020 but the floods gained momentum on 27th and continued for the next three days, affecting mainly Kilwa, Liwale, Lindi Rural and Ruangwa Districts in Lindi Region.
Information from Lindi Diocese and government shows that, the flood disaster has affected more than 21,000 people; some have migrated to temporary camps and schools while others have fled to nearby relatives in the highlands and neighbouring villages.
The flash floods which have resulted in loss of human life and widespread damage have affected more than 2000 households. So far more than 21 people are reported dead, with 5 people still missing.
Some areas cannot be accessed because the rains are still ongoing. Students are not going to school; people are living in schools and other temporary shelters; medical facilities and medicine are not accessible by people in the affected area.
The impact of the floods is that; 495 acres of farms have been destroyed including their crops; people have no food and seeds for planting. A number of houses and shops have been destroyed by floods, but not yet counted.
All water sources in the affected districts are polluted. Likelihood of outbreak of water- borne diseases is very high.
Local infrastructure including water wells, road and bridges is utterly destroyed, livelihood activities were disrupted and personal properties destroyed.
Although the political situation is normal, security of people is compromised as thousands of people are trapped in the flooded area, which is not accessible by roads except by boats and helicopters.
According to the Regional Commissioner’s report, people in the flooded areas could not be accounted for; many people are staying days without food, and some are still missing up to date.
Caritas Tanzania’s Emergency Coordinator Mr. Ephraim Joseph Mkenda said that needs assessment is being carried out in collaboration with Caritas Lindi and the diocesan staff.
The Bishop Chairman of Caritas Lindi launched the appeal to Caritas Tanzania for support the victims as heavy rain and floods continue to affect most parts of Tanzania, particularly the Lindi, Mwanza, Morogoro and Manyara regions, leading to at least 40 fatalities.