RATIN

Tanzania rushes 200 tonnes of supplies

Posted on March, 20, 2019 at 09:35 am


TANZANIA has dispatched more than 200 tonnes of foodstuff and medical supplies in humanitarian assistance to Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe which have been hit by floods caused by Cyclone Idai.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Prof Palamagamba Kabudi told reporters in Dar es Salaam yesterday that the assistance includes 24 tonnes of drugs and medical supplies of which each country will receive eight tonnes.

As for foodstuffs, 200 tonnes of maize and 14 tonnes of rice have been allocated for the humanitarian effort.

Seven lorries carrying a maize consignment from Mbeya region are alreadydestined for Malawi while Mozambique and Zimbabwe will receive seven tonnes of rice each, the minister said.

Speaking at the official handing over, Prof Kabudi said it was a directive from President John Magufuli to assist all the countries suffering from the Cyclone Idai and flooding.

The event was also attended by the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry for Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children Dr Zainab Chaula, high commissioners rom Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique and various senior government officials.

He said Tanzania as a country in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region was obliged to support other countries hit by natural disasters like floods, hurricanes and famine.

The decision to send those urgent supplies came after President Magufuli heard of the disaster and talked to his counterparts in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe.

“I further call on all well-wishers to volunteer supporting the mission and companies to volunteer donating for our beloved brothers and sisters in affected countries,” the minister intoned.

 “All foodstuffs and medical supplies will be despatched today night (Tuesday) to the people in need,” he specified.

He said 200 tonnes will today be despatched using seven lorries to Malawi where 122 people have died and over 1000 lost their homes, and seven tonnes of rice and medical supplies will be despatched to Mozambique by air, where 221 have died so far.

Another seven tonnes of rice will also be despatched by air to Zimbabwe where 98 people have died so far.

For her part, the Minister for Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children Ummy Mwalimu said the ministry received directive from President Magufuli to support the neighbouring countries hit by floods.

Mwalimu said the medical supplies despatched were antibiotics, infusion water, bedsheets, mosquito nets, blankets, painkillers and mattresses.

The ministry was well organised to ensure that there were enough drugs and medical supplies despatched to the countries, she declared.

Tanzania is also ready to despatch a team of medical doctors to Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi in case it is asked to do so to assist in treating those hospitalised from the flood ravages, she said.

 The Charge d’ Affaires in the Zimbabwe High Commission to Tanzania, Martin Tavenyinka said: “It is a great day symbolising the long standing friendship between Zimbabwe and Tanzania.”

“I get the surprise because the supply has come early once the catastrophe   was announced,” he stated.

The envoy said he would convey the message to the principals (higher authorities at home) that there was support coming from the Tanzania government.

He said the decision by Tanzania to support Zimbabwe had come at the right moment, further symbolising the long –standing cordial relationship.

The Mozambican High Commissioner to Tanzania, Monica Mussa thanked the Tanzania government for the humanitarians support.

“At this moment the rescuing process is still underway especially in places that were highly affected by the cyclone flood,” she said.

The Malawi High Commissioner, Glad Chembe Munthali said: “I’m becoming speechless on what Tanzania has done to people of Malawi. Tanzania has quickly responded since the disaster was declared.”

Tanzania had shown that it was a real friend to the people of Malawi, the envoy intoned.

The Air Wing Command head of training and operations, Brigadier General Francis Shirima assured the public that all humanitarian support will be dispatched right away.

“All dispatched cargoes will leave today. Everything is done for us,” he affirmed.

Source: IPP Media