.jpeg)
Grief has engulfed 11 families in Rungwe District, Mbeya Region, after landslides claimed the lives of 22 people in one of the most devastating natural disasters to hit the area in recent years.
Former Speaker of Parliament and Uyole Member of Parliament Tulia Ackson, who also serves as President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, on April 1 visited the affected families to offer condolences and humanitarian assistance as the community continues to mourn the victims.
The landslides struck on the night of March 24 at around 1:00 a.m., burying several homes as tonnes of soil and debris swept through villages in the district.
Twenty-one people died instantly in the tragedy, while another person later died after reportedly taking poison following emotional distress caused by the loss of three grandchildren.
During her visit, Dr Ackson met families in Lupepo, Kinyara, Ikuti, Kawetele and Nkunga wards, where she witnessed the scale of destruction and the difficult conditions many survivors are facing.
She said the disaster has left many residents without homes, forcing them to seek shelter from neighbours and relatives while struggling to recover from the emotional and economic impact of the tragedy.
“The situation is very difficult. Many families have lost their homes and are currently living with neighbours. They need food, mattresses and decent shelter,” she said.
Dr Ackson called on individuals, institutions and other well-wishers to extend support to the affected families, noting that the humanitarian needs remain significant.
She also commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan for the swift response taken by the government following the disaster, saying early interventions helped in providing immediate support to the affected communities.
At the same time, she praised local authorities in Rungwe for their prompt efforts in coordinating rescue operations and providing initial assistance to victims.
As part of her support, Dr Ackson donated 440 kilogrammes of rice and more than Sh4 million to the affected families.
Each family received TZS200,000 depending on the scale of losses suffered, alongside 20 kilogrammes of rice for every family that lost a relative.
She said the assistance was meant to help families cope with the immediate challenges they face while encouraging broader support from Tanzanians.
“I urge fellow Tanzanians to continue coming forward to support these families. When we stand together, we can help reduce the burden of grief facing our brothers and sisters,” she said.
One of the victims, Joshua George from Kinyara Ward who lost two children in the tragedy, thanked Dr Ackson for the visit and the assistance she provided.
He said the support had brought comfort to families still struggling to come to terms with the loss of their loved ones.
Meanwhile, Rungwe District chairman of Chama Cha Mapinduzi, Mekson Mwakipunga, said the landslides have left deep sorrow in the community, with several families losing both relatives and homes after houses were swept away by the collapsing soil.
He said in Mboyo village alone one family lost four members, adding that the emotional impact has been severe for many residents.
According to him, one elderly family member later took poison after failing to cope with the trauma of losing three grandchildren in the disaster.
Local leaders say the tragedy has highlighted the urgent need for continued humanitarian support as well as long-term efforts to reduce the risk of landslides in vulnerable areas of the district.
