BUDEFO Kagera Relief Aid Distribution Team :
- Yusto P. Muchuruza – BUDEFO (Supervisor)
- Deo Mwikira – CARITAS (Supervisor)
- Paschaazia Rugumira – CAITAS ( Coordinator)
- Yusto Lucas – KADETFU (Logistics and recording)
- Edison Mulokozi – CARITAS (Distributor)
- Datius Kamugisha – CARITAS (Distributor)
- Auson Paulo – CARITAS (Distributor)
- Ponsian Peter – KADETFU (Distributor)
- Vedasto Ishengona – KADETFU (Distributor/Driver)
INTRODUCTION
On September 10th 2016, Kagera region will forever remember this day of nature’s ire. On this day the earth heaved and left in its wake grieving families, widespread damage of properties including infrastructure. The quake, whose magnitude was 5.7 on the Ritcher scale, affected much of Bukoba municipality and showed much of its ire in densely populated wards of Kashai and Kahororo. According to the Government report, this was “the biggest” earthquake in the history of the country which claimed 17 people’s lives, 2,500 Houses completely destroyed, 14,500 Houses partially destroyed and 9,000 Houses with minor cracks.
The epicenter of the earthquake was Nsunga village near the Ugandan border, about 43 kilometers northwest of Bukoba. During a fund-raiser in Dar es Salaam hosted by the Prime Minister Mr. Kassim Majaliwa, the government acknowledged that the situation in the affected areas was dire and government alone can’t adequately respond to it, therefore called up on other actors and well-wishers to support the government’s efforts of resuming the situation in Kagera Region.
In general the quake has left behind it thousands of needy people whose plight must be addressed without further delay. Hundreds of Saturday’s earthquake victims are without food (which has been found as a direct need), shelter and water. There are reported shortages of medicine and other medical supplies at public health facilities. There is an urgent need to mobilize resources, financial as well as material to reach out to hundreds of quake affected people in Kagera region.
In response to that, the Bukoba Development Foundation (BUDEFO) has through its members, collected some finds to support the victims. By giving a hand, the Chinese Embassy was approached to join BUDEFO in its search of relief aid and thus contributes money for this purpose.
On the other hand, the Board of BUDEFO formed a Special committee that was commissioned to deal with the matter on the ground. This committee which is heard by Bishop Methodius Kilaini as its Chairperson and Yusto Muchuruza as the Secretary receives an amount of Tshs. From BUDEFO in Dar es Salaam, bought foodstuff and distributed it in the affected areas focusing to the neediest persons.
ORIENTATION AND INTRODUCTORY VISIT
The organizing team, (Mr. Muchuruza, Bishop Kilaini and Fr. Deo Mwikira) visited the Regional Commissioner as well as the District Commissioners in the concern districts to inform them about the aid we are planning to distribute, inviting them at the launching ceremony as well as seeking for their support both social and political. However, we found this visit very imperative and we think, without which, the success of this exercise could have been questionable.
At the RC’s office, the boss welcomed us with bliss; he was very thankful for the support to his region and thus promised to give us a hand whenever needed. He also confirmed to be the Guest of Honor at the launching ceremony on 3rd February, 2017.
We visited, the District Commissioners and District Executive Directors of Bukoba, Misenye, Muleba and Karagwe as well as the Bukoba Municipal council. They all appreciated the aid and thus promised to lend a hand to BUDEFO in the whole distribution process.
From Karagwe, we visited the Misenye District Commissioner. The Guy was very welcoming and active on hand. However, the DC invited other officers to join our discussion including the DAS, the Disaster Officer and the Acting DED because the DED himself was attending the full council.
With exceptionality, the DC of Misenye District and his team noted some challenges in the district mentioning that the area was in a critical situation of famine and sometimes, some families don’t have food for two to three days. He mentioned the areas which are highly affected by both the earthquake and draught, including; Kakunyu Ward (Bugango, Bubale and Bwenkoma villages), Mabale ward (Mabale, Nyankere and Kibeho villages) among many others; which have registered more than 1,171 people in great need. He pleaded to us that instead of taking this food to other areas which we had identified before; we take it to these areas which need very urgent support.
After a long discussion, we also concurred with them about their suggestion and therefore decided together to remove Minziro ward which they said it has received much support from other stakeholders. We furthermore agreed to divide the aid for Kanyigo, Kashenye and Ishozi wards in to half of what was planned before and take the other half to these highly affected areas.
Basing on the appeal by the Misenyi DC, the Distribution team also appealed to BUDEFO Board of Directors, if there are still some more funds, to urgently rescue people’s lives in this District. We wish to thank BUDEFO board for considering this and in response, immediately sent Tshs. 500,000/= to add on the support for Misenye District.
LAUNCHING
Launching of the food distribution programme took place at Kahororo ward Office in Bukoba Municipality. The event was attended by different dignitaries including the Minister Counselor from the Chinese Embassy and his Assistant. Others were His worship the Mayor of Bukoba Municipality, His Grace Bishop Method Kilaini who is the chairperson of our Bukoba-based BUDEFO Earthquake Committee, Chairman of Muleba District Council, Acting District Executive Director for Karagwe, Acting District Executive Director of Bukoba District, District officers responsible for disaster management from Muleba, Karagwe, Misenye, Bukoba Rural and Bukoba Municipal Council. The event was also attended by several leaders of hamlets (Mitaa) from Bukoba Municipality, representatives of media houses and other many neighboring people from the ward and our target group, the 20 vulnerable families who received food aid.
From BUDEFO, there were representatives i.e. the President Mr. Enock Kamuzora, The VP Mr. Aseri Katanga and the Bukoba City Director Mr. Yusto Paradius Muchuruza.
On his arrival at Bukoba airport, the three BUDEFO representatives received the Minister Counselor and his assistant who arrived at 09.00 a.m.
After his arrival, the Minister Counselor was lead to the office of Bishop Kilaini for introductions brief on the plans and programme. Before we went to the event venue, we took the Minister Counselor to the DC’s who at the same time was acting as the RC as the later was out of office. The DC promised to give a hand and cooperation to our endeavors.
At the event venue at Kahororo, the programme went well. The Distribution Task force was ready putting on their T-shirts and reflector jackets both printed with the name BUDEFO.
The Mayor was the first to give a speech and welcome note. In his notes, he applauded BUDEFO for the support and appreciated the aid from the Chinese Embassy. As a Councilor for Kahororo Ward, the Mayor welcomed all invited guests to his area. He asked BUDEFO and Chinese Embassy to continue supporting the Region as the disaster had left big injuries among the society.
The speech of our President concentrated on BUDEFO, its evolution and the aid in question. He oriented the audience on how BUDEFO started flashing back to FoB which was created by the Kagerans living within and in the Diaspora. The president informed the audience that the aid was contributions from those Kagerans as well as the Embassy of China in Tanzania. He mentioned some of the contributors as including:
Chinese Embassy 15,428,700
KANA 10,850,000
Friends of Tanzania in US 2,104,900
Friends of Tanzania in Botswana 800,000
BUDEFO 4,350,000
Various Individuals 7,116,400
The president added that BUDEFO has organized short, medium and long term plan for transformation of a sustainable Kagera.
He expressed thanks to the Chinese Embassy for their concern and asked them for a longer and sustainable working relationship as far as Kagera Development is concerned. The BUDEFO Boss assured the audience that the aid that was contributed for relief purposes will be used for the intended aims, not to be used for other unplanned activities.
Bishop Kilaini also in his speech as Chair of the Bukoba based BUDEFO Committee told the people gathering that the Committee tirelessly to ensure the intended goal is reached. He said that the Task Force team which is on board will make everything possible to ensure the aid reach the intended beneficiaries in all districts which have been selected to benefit from this aid.
In his speech, the Chinese Minister Counselor (CMC) articulated his happiness first being honored as a guest of honor, but also the way he has been received from the airport to here. “I am back to my home-Bukoba” the Minister Councilor insisted.
The CMC told the addressees that he is pleased of what BUDEFO is doing to help the helpless in the region as well as what was said by the President “Transformation of Kagera”. He pledged that the Chinese Embassy will continue supporting BUDEFO in her efforts to “Kagera Transformation Strategies”.
As a sign of launching, the Guest of Honor put on a BUDEFO reflector jacket and started distributing foodstuff to the waiting community members who had been identifies by their village leadership. A total of 20 in number. These had previously been identified as the most vulnerable in the ward. At the end, the CMC asked if he could take the reflector jacket as a souvenir and show it to his Boss, the Ambassador. The Distribution Task Force team was happy to grant him a jacket with BUDEFO name.
DISTRIBUTION:
After launching, the distribution exercise started immediately. A total of 747 households benefited from this aid. The increase of household versus the targeted 6,800 is due to the fact that the District Commissioner of Misenyi District contributed 100 Kgs of Maize and the balance which was set for emergencies. Districts and Villages covered are as shown on Appendix “B” of this report.
On the launching day, the villages of Kahororo, Mafumbo and Buhembe villages/wards were reached. Between 4.2.2017 and 8th February 2017, the distribution exercise was made in Hamugambe, Kibuye, Ibosa, Kiilima, Bumai, Izigo, Mayondwe and all villages of Ishozi ward. On 9th, February 2017, the team was honored to have the President of BUDEFO on board who participation in to distribution in Kashenye and Kanyigo Wards. Before distribution at each distribution center, the President oriented the audience and aid recipients on what are BUDEFO and its objectives.
The following days, the team went to Mabale and Kakunyu wards where the DC of Misenye has formerly said to have been hit by the draught. In reality, this area is in bad shape as far as food and water is concerned. The places are dry, food shortage is rampant and the people have said to have lost some of family members. We wish to thank the DC of Misenye District for his kind support during the distribution exercise in his District.
The last district to distribute was Karagwe in which a total of 5 villages were visited, distributed aid and about 123 families from this district benefitted from the aid.
Conclusion
The Kagera based earthquake committee designated by the distribution Task Force team, wish to express their concerns and appreciations to BUDEFO board of Director, the District Commissioners and DEDs of all districts we visited and all ward and village leaders who made our work easy through giving us a hand in the whole exercise of this task. May God bless them all?
Prepared by:
Yusto Paradius Muchuruza
SECRETARY TO THE BUDEFO KAGERA EARTHQUAKE COMMITTEE