The arrival of Qatari Aircraft in Kilimanjaro, Bringing Aid for Tanzania Flood Victims Aiming to provide support to those affected by the floods and landslides in northern Tanzania has been a relief, especially to residents of the greater Kilimanjaro Region. The aircraft from the Qatar Armed Forces touched down in Kilimanjaro carrying a significant quantity of aid, weighing 49 tons and consisting of essential food and medical supplies. All the aid was generously provided by Qatar Charity. Upon arrival, the assistance was promptly received by various Tanzanian government officials and His Excellency Fahd bin Rashid Al Muraikhi, the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United Republic of Tanzania.
At least 155 killed in Tanzania as heavy rains pound East Africa
The heavy and incessant rainfall that has been pouring down in Tanzania has had a significant and far-reaching impact, affecting well over 200,000 individuals and an astonishing 51,000 households, as recently mentioned by the esteemed prime minister of the country. The consequences of this devastating weather have been nothing short of catastrophic, with the streets of Dar es Salaam now fully submerged under the relentless flooding, to the point where even public minibuses have been entirely swallowed up by the torrents of water. Taking the matter seriously, the prime minister felt compelled to address the distinguished Parliament, shedding light on the underlying cause behind this meteorological phenomenon. He unequivocally attributed the intensified rainy season and the subsequent floods to the notorious El Nino climate pattern that has, unfortunately, wreaked havoc on the region. Elaborating further, he elaborated that the downpours, coupled with ferocious and unyielding winds, have unleashed an unfathomable level of destruction upon the area, ruthlessly damaging and obliterating key infrastructures such as roads, bridges, and even railways. Furthermore, the prime minister did not shy away from highlighting the significant role that environmental degradation has played in exacerbating this dire situation. Citing multiple factors responsible for this degradation, he unequivocally laid blame on the rampant deforestation, unsustainable farming practices, and the unregulated grazing of livestock. He firmly emphasized that all these man-made influences have collectively contributed to the sheer severity and destructive power of these floods. As a tragic outcome, schools across the affected areas have been left with no choice but to shut their doors indefinitely, and the tireless emergency services now find themselves engaged in a race against time, working fervently to rescue all those cruelly trapped by the menacing floodwaters. In an ardent attempt to provide much-needed support to the affected population, the compassionate and resolute prime minister earnestly urged and beseeched all individuals residing in low-lying regions to immediately relocate to higher ground, in order to avoid being further engulfed by the inscrutable disaster. Furthermore, he urgently called upon all district officials and authorities to ensure that the necessary and life-sustaining provisions promptly reach each and every one of those who have tragically lost their homes due to this calamity beyond measure. It is of utmost importance to note that this overwhelming rainfall and the subsequent floods are by no means limited to the borders of Tanzania alone. Rather, they have spilled over into neighbouring countries such as Burundi and Kenya, thus magnifying the scope and scale of this catastrophic event. In fact, recent reports only serve to underscore the harrowing reality of the situation in Kenya, with a staggering 35 fatalities already confirmed, as the number continues to rise exponentially each day, directly mirroring the unforgiving intensity and relentless ferocity of these floods that show no signs of abating anytime soon.
Parts of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, were still underwater as of Thursday. Kenyans were advised to remain vigilant as the forecast predicted more heavy rainfall in the country in the coming days. In the Mathare neighbourhood of Nairobi, four bodies were recovered from flooded homes on Wednesday, with reports of additional bodies found in the Mathare River. Sadly, the number of casualties is expected to rise as flooding persists across Kenya. President William Ruto of Kenya chaired a flood response meeting and instructed the National Youth Service to provide land for those affected by the floods. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua announced in a press briefing that individuals impacted by the floods would receive food and other necessary items. Furthermore, individuals residing in the most vulnerable areas would be relocated to safer locations. In Burundi, around 96,000 people have been displaced due to continuous rainfall, as confirmed by the United Nations and the government earlier this month. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported this week that Somalia is experiencing intensified “Gu” rains from April to June, resulting in flash floods since April 19. Uganda has also suffered from severe storms, leading to riverbanks bursting. Tragically, this has resulted in two confirmed fatalities and the displacement of several hundred villagers.
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