PERMANENT Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy, Coordination and Parliamentary Affairs) Dr Jim Yonazi yesterday received a cash donation amounting to 13.7m/- from leaders of a social group to help victims of Hanang mudslides.

Speaking after receiving the support in Dodoma, Dr Yonazi commended members of the group for taking part in supporting victims of mudslides which took place in December last year.

He said the aid supports the government's ongoing efforts to restore normalcy for the victims, including building 108 houses so that they continue to earn a living.

"We thank our colleagues for the patriotism they showed for this great contribution they made. I ask my fellow Tanzanians to hold hands together especially in these times when various disasters occur in many parts of the country," he said.

Benjamin Thompson, one of the members of the group, said that the group is made up of various government leaders, public institutions, the private sector, university lecturers, political parties and members of the diaspora.

Thompson said the donations were collected from 145 of the 600 members in the group who were able to contribute at the time.

Archard Kato, another member, said members of the group were touched by the Hanang disaster and therefore saw the importance of giving donations in support of the government's efforts to help victims.

"We promise that we will continue to help the government with the little we have in helping victims of disasters like this,” he said. 

Hanang disaster occurred on December 3, last year in Manyara Region and resulted in the deaths of more than 80 people while hundreds of others were left homeless aside from major infrastructure damage.