Thousands of Tanzanians made homeless by explosions at a military base near Dar es Salaam three weeks ago are still living in a precarious state and need longer term assistance, says the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) as it launches an emergency appeal for 545,134 Swiss francs (US$ 469,134 US dollars/ EUR 362,697) in their favour.
"Some 20,000 people have lost their homes. We need more tents to secure some degree of dignity for these people," says Julius Kejo, a disaster manager with the Tanzania Red Cross.
Kejo says that the Red Cross Red Crescent is working hard to prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases and ensure that, during the coming three months, emergency relief assistance is delivered to the destitute inhabitants of the Mbagala Township.
"The temporary camps are still overcrowded and the sanitation needs improvement. It’s the rainy season and hygiene related diseases, respiratory problems and malaria are a real risk," he adds.
The 29 April explosions - which killed 26 people and injured more than 500 - also totally destroyed 400 houses. In this poor suburb of the Tanzanian capital, each house was sheltering up to five families. The blasts occurred at an army base containing large amounts of mines and artillery shells. Many shallow wells were contaminated during the disaster.
The IFRC kick-started the relief operation with 100,000 Swiss francs from its disaster relief emergency fund, and dispatched vital relief articles from its logistics base in Nairobi. The Red Cross is providing daily hot meals and plans to distribute blankets and mosquito nets to at least 5,000 of the most vulnerable people. An additional 2,500 families will receive buckets and kitchen sets. Disease prevention education, clean drinking water, and sanitation services are also being provided as part of this operation.
The operation also plans longer-term interventions such as psychosocial support, the reconstruction of houses and rebuilding of livelihoods.
Since the explosions, 50 volunteers and staff have been working around the clock providing first aid and medical assistance to injured people in overcrowded hospitals. Search and rescue activities have been completed. So far, a Red Cross tracing unit has reunited 431 of 1,244 missing children and adults with their families.