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| Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa addresses diplomats and members of the business community at a fundraising event held in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, to support the people who were affected by a recent earthquake that hit Kagera Region. |
The tremor, never experienced in such magnitude in recent times, hit the Lake Victoria-side municipality of Bukoba, leaving 17people dead and 253 injured. According to a geologist assessment, the tremor reached 5.7 Richter scale.
During the fundraising event held in Dar es Salaam, organised by the Prime Minister, Mr Kassim Majaliwa, a total of 1.396bn/ - in cash and pledges was collected. Meanwhile, in Dodoma, Members of Parliament (MPs) have agreed to have their yesterday’s sitting allowances, amounting to 85.58m/- re-routed to support the victims.
Speaking during the fundraising event held in Dar es Salaam, the prime minister said following the damages caused by the tremor, the government has temporarily closed two secondary schools - Nyakato and Ihungo - which were badly damaged.
Out of 1.396bn/- committed, 700m/- were pledges while 646 million Tanzanian shillings, 10,000 US dollars and Euro 10,000 came in form of cash. Further commitments included 2,800 bags of cement.
Three oil companies, namely Oilcom, GBP and Moil promised to rebuild the two schools within 30 days. Four secondary schools -- Nyakato, Ihungo, Kashenge and Buhembe - were badly damaged, including toilets, staff quarters and halls.
According to the PM, his office, through Disaster Management Department, has opened an account at CRDB Bank named ‘’Kamati ya Maafa Kagera0152225617300’’ to which people can send their contributions.
The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, who is also the High Commissioner of Zimbabwe, Mr Edzai Chimonyo, promised to present their contributions after communicating with other ambassadors in the country.
Other embassies that handed over their donations during the event included China (100m/-) and the Chinese business community who also contributed 100m/- while Kuwait donated 50m/-.
Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) Chairman, Dr Reginald Mengi, assured the audience that the business community was keen to extend their support to the victims, commending the government for the efforts it has so far taken to address the problem.
Dr Mengi donated 110m/-, Mohamed Dewji 100m/-, Tanzania Breweries Limited (TBL) 100m/-, retail oil dealers 250m/- while oil importers promised to present their donation today.
Kenya High Commissioner to Tanzania Chirau Ali Mwakwere said a truck convoy carrying humanitarian assistance for the quake victims is on its way to Kagera. Industry, Trade and Investment Minister, Mr Charles Mwijage, expressed gratitude to the business community, diplomats and individuals for their contributions to support the victims.
In another development, the government has also announced a charity walk, which will take place in Dar es Salaam on Saturday to raise more funds for the victims. The Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Dr Aziz Mlima, whose office donated 10m/-, said that the Walk will be open to all. “This event is open to all to raise more funds for the tremor victims, although it will also be good for health and networking,” Dr Mlima pointed out.
The Minister in the President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government, Mr George Simbachawene, told the National Assembly the Minister of State the Prime Minister’s Office, Ms Jenista Mhagama, is in Bukoba to help moderate the disaster management team alongside the regional defence and security committee.
“The government’s immediate plans were to rescue and offer medical treatment to the victims.
We also dispatched a team of medical specialists from Mwanza to help the health team,” he told the parliamentarians adding: “We are now working on giving temporary housing to the victims.” The minister said the country’s geologists will offer public information regarding the tragedy.
He called on the general public, local and international organisations willing to complement the government’s effort to channel their contribution through the Prime Minister’s Office.
“The government will continue to take emergency steps in the area as well as a thorough evaluation of the tragedy and take action accordingly,” Mr Simbachawene told the House.
Daily News
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