Tanzanian President John Magufuli has said the government will work hard to mobilise resources in an effort to restore infrastructure and social services following the Kagera tremor.
The president called on The Catholic Church to pray for the realization of the commitment as the church pleaded for more efforts to help the victims.
The earthquake, which hit the region last month, left 17 people dead, over 250 injured and 900 houses destroyed. Infrastructure and social service facilities were extensively damaged.
In a message delivered on his behalf by Minister of Trade, Marketing and Investments Charles Mwijage, Dr Magufuli asked the bishops, priests and all people in the church leadership to communicate clear messages to the people on the quake calamity.
“It is time for more faith, prayers and work as we ask our spiritual leaders to lead our people to the proper direction, especially now when some people might lose hope and despair,” said the President.
The minister challenged all the Tanzanians, regardless of their religious, wealth and political differences to offer kind donations for the victims through the special bank account and mobile money transfers, using Mpesa, Tigopesa and Airtel Money lines that have already been communicated to them.
He congratulated the church for supporting the government in a number of areas, citing seven hospitals successfully run by the church out of total 14 hospitals operating in Kagera region.
