Ref: AF/PR/2016/006
At about 3.27 p.m. on Saturday, 10th September, 2016, an earthquake of 5.9 (initially reported as 5.7 magnitude on Richter scale) was recorded at a depth of 6 miles (10km), 27 miles (44km) from the northwestern town of Bukoba and near the western shore of Lake Victoria. The tremors of the earthquake were felt as far as Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Kenya. As the Earthquake lasted for almost 45 seconds the devastation was substantial, flattening a great number of houses.
The death toll has risen to 16 and about 253 reported injured in the devastating earthquake. 840 Houses flattened, and 1264 damage structures and properties; as a result many families were rendered homeless. Much of the damage and many of the injuries and fatalities are believed to have been inflicted by building collapses in Bukoba in Kagera region, between Bukoba Town and the epicenter of the earthquake further to the North.
The Africa Federation Secretariat were in constant communications with the Jamaats upon receiving the news of the Earthquake in Bukoba and Mwanza, and were being updated on the situation, including the safety of our community members in these two cities.
The Africa Federation office bearers assured Bukoba Jamaat Chairman of full support and co-operation upon receiving the reports of the devastation in Bukoba.
According to the report, a number of properties belonging to the Jamaat and some our Community members in Bukoba were damaged in the earthquake. Thankfully, the Jamaat has made a quick assessment of the damage and submitted the details to the Africa Federation Secretariat which is already working it. The properties damaged include the surrounding block wall of the Kabrastan, some parts of the Jaffery School and Jamaat new and old buildings.
The Chairman Alhaj Shabir Najafi in his message to the Bukoba Jamaat Chairman has reassured support and cooperation from Africa Federation and will Insha’allah travel to Bukoba soon to meet the Jamaat officials and the Community members, it would be an opportunity also to assess the damages and meet the local Government officials in Bukoba.
The Africa Federation Secretariat is also planning to meet up with the Tanzanian Government officials responsible for the Disaster Management in Tanzania to convey its condolences and extend a hand of support.
At this point, we are deeply indebted and grateful to the donors and well-wishers who have come forward to assist us in humanitarian assistance to those affected following earthquake disaster.
We request Institutions and members of the Community wishing to donate towards this cause to contact the Africa Federation Secretariat office in Dar es Salaam on secretariat@africafederation.org . This is a time of need where we need to show our sympathies to people rendered homeless and now sleeping under the sky.
For more details and information, kindly call: + 255 22 2150897
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families whose dear ones died and pray to the Almighty (S.W.T) to grant patience to the families of the deceased and full recovery to those injured in the earthquake disaster.
Hussein Karim
Hon Secretary