TANZANIA: TEC Sends Humanitarian Aid and Condolences after Deadly Mudslide Hits Hanang Manyara
Sarah Pelaji
The Catholic Church in Tanzania has sent the condolences greetings and humanitarian aid to the people of Katesh township in Hanang district in Manyara Region Northern of Tanzania after being hit by deadly mudslide which killed more than 65 people, 116 injured, 1,150 households swept away leaving 5,600 people homeless.
The disaster struck in the Hanang District of the northern Manyara Region of Tanzania from late on 02 December 2023 after the heavy rain in the area triggered flooding and landslides to gush down the steep slopes of Mount Hanang into areas around the towns of Katesh and Gendabi
The President of Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) Most Rev. Gervas Nyaisonga has sent his condolences to families of the victims of the devastating incident.
“The Catholic Church has been following up what happened and saddened by the incident. We send condolences to the President of the United Republic of Tanzania Hon. Samia Suluhu Hassan, all Tanzanians, especially the citizens of Hanang, Manyara region in the Catholic Diocese of Mbulu who have been affected by the disaster which had an environmental impact and thus could not have been avoided in an immediate emergency.
We thank everyone, especially the government, the army and all the citizens who volunteered to participate in the emergency rescue operation,” said Archbishop Nyaisonga.
He said TEC through the Caritas Tanzania continues to coordinate the procedure of providing humanitarian aid to the victims including food, medicines, field seeds as well as blankets.
He also said that while TEC through Caritas Tanzania continues to communicate with various charities including Caritas Internationalis, various people including Catholic in the country to provide support realizing the magnitude of this disaster, guided by the teachings of
Jesus Christ on being good Samaritan regardless of religion, ethnicity, color or ideologies.
Archbishop Nyaisonga requests Tanzanians to continue putting their trust in God and showing solidarity in a special way, praying for the injured to get quick relief and for the deceased to rest in peace.
The bishop of Mbulu Catholic Diocese Rt. Rev. Anthony Lagwen has explained that Mbulu Diocese has fully participated in showing solidarity since the first day with Hanag Community.
Shortly after the incident, Bishop Lagwen wrote a pastoral letter to the faithful including deacons, priests, the Lay Council, heads of institutions as well as the lay faithful in the diocese requesting them for emergency help to the victims.
“I am very grateful for the prompt response in order to provide aid to the victims of the tragedy at the locations. Individuals and institutions have participated in helping our people who experienced major disasters in the areas of Gendabi located in Gitting Parish, Jorodom and Katesh in the city, Katesh Parish and other areas along Mount Hanang with immediate aid including blankets, sheets, flour, rice, beans, sugar, cooking oil, soap and other human needs,” he said.
Bishop Lagwen further explained the current situation, that many have no place to live following their houses being washed away by water, they live in camps. He requested the government and all Tanzanians of good will to provide support of building for them permanent houses in other safe places so that they start living in their own home.
According to the Director of Caritas Tanzania, Ms. Marshal Mpokonya, her office is cooperating with Caritas office at the Diocese of Mbulu in compiling situation report to hand it over to Caritas Internationalis on time for further AIDS.
She appeals to Caritas partners in various countries in the world to support Caritas Tanzania to provide humanitarian aid to the victims.
