DAR
ES SALAAM, 5 December (IRIN) - Relief supplies have been sent to an estimated 1,500 people uprooted by floods in Tanzania's central region of Shinyanga last week, officials said on Tuesday."By
Sunday, about 300 tonnes of maize flour had been distributed in the affected villages," said Simon Sirro, Shinyanga Regional Police Commander. The floods claimed the life of one person and affected
177 households.President Jakaya Kikwete visited the region on Saturday and ordered immediate distribution of relief to those affected.Sirro said the government had hired a helicopter from
neighbouring Kenya to airdrop food and other essential supplies, including medicines, in the affected villages.At least five villages in the region were submerged by flood water and the victims had
sought shelter in school-buildings, he added.jk/mw
