MINISTER of State in the President's Office, Regional Administration and Local Government Mohamed Mchengerwa has called upon Tanzanians to continue providing humanitarian assistance to people affected by floods in Rufiji District, Coast Region.

Mchengerwa made the remarks over the weekend shortly after receiving various food items including maize flour, rice and cooking oil worth 52m/-. The Minister who is a Member of Parliament for Rufiji constituency also received 100 gas cylinders and stoves worth 25m/- jointly donated by Oryx Gas Tanzania Limited and Asas Dairies Limited.

“We are grateful for the items donated by the two companies as they are going to provide relief to the people affected by floods who are currently accommodated at different camps over lack of shelter and food. We have experienced severe floods this year compared to those that happened in 1972 and 1974,” he said.

 He said President Samia Suluhu Hassan is the number of comforter and has called upon Tanzanians to maintain calmness. He said that while in Arusha Region on Friday, the President asked Tanzanians to continue supporting one another during disasters.

“The donated food and gas cylinders will be distributed to flood victims at camps. The government continues to provide assistance to the people of Rufiji. President Samia has already directed authorities to ensure flood victims have enough food and other necessary needs,” he added.

Mchengerwa insisted that the government has already prepared short and long term plans to ensure all those affected by floods are assisted with food and shelter. He said there are allocated areas where affected families will be provided land plots to build houses.

He said plans are underway to ensure those with shelter are assisted with seeds whereas the Ministry of Agriculture will manage the distribution exercise. He said the Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe will soon arrive in Rufiji to ensure villagers are provided with seeds to continue with agricultural activities.

Sales Manager at Oryx Gas Tanzania Limited, Shaban Fundi said the company resolved to collaborate with Asas Dairies Limited to ensure the people of Rufiji have food and conveniently prepare their meals by cooking with gas.