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Tanzania Facing “one of its worst humanitarian crises”: Catholic Religious Order’s Disaster Service Appeals for Aid

Credit: CADIS

Inhabitants of Tanzania’s Coastal region of Rufiji District are facing one of the “worst humanitarian crises” following floods caused by both heavy rains and the overflow of Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam, officials of the Camillian Disaster Service International (CADIS) have said. 

In a Wednesday, April 10 statement, officials of the humanitarian and development entity of the Order of the Ministers of the Sick (Camillians) call on people of goodwill to support their emergency response to the people of Rufiji.

“Enormous challenges persist in Rufiji, and the district is facing one of its worst humanitarian crises. Thousands of its population need immediate humanitarian assistance in several sectors, including health care, nutrition, and clean water and sanitation,” they say. 

The flood, officials of the Camillians’ entity say, “has resulted in widespread devastation, displacing thousands of families and leaving them in dire need of assistance.”

“Homes have been destroyed, crops have been washed away, and access to clean water and essential services has been severely disrupted,” they add.

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In Muhoro ward, they say, “75% of the area is underwater, and about 17,000 people have been affected, displaced, and living in primary school buildings without basic needs” while “around 1000 people have been displaced” in Chumbi ward. 

“This year’s floods have submerged 28,374 hectares of agricultural land, destroying crops such as maize, rice, sesame, and bananas,” CADIS officials say, and continue, “The situation is at risk of an eruption of waterborne diseases and related cases.”

They further warn that the most vulnerable members of the community “are particularly at risk” and that they “require urgent support to meet their basic needs and begin the process of recovery.”

“We are then appealing to your generosity on behalf of the flood survivors and the most vulnerable people. We appeal to all people of goodwill for support in our emergency response,” CADIS officials say.

According to the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC), 88,000 people are in “dire need” of essential services, including food, shelter, healthcare and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) intervention.

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In the April 10 report, officials of the Camillians’ disaster service entity say their emergency humanitarian assistance aims at covering health and nutrition, WASH, and community mobilization. 

“In particular, we will provide food, water, and medicines, especially for mothers and children; we will provide water purification tablets, temporary latrines, hand washing facilities; and clothing,” they say.

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