Floods displace more than 19,000 in Tanzania

NAIROBI, May 15 (Reuters) Floods in northern Tanzania have displaced more than 19,000 people, submerged close to 1,000 homes and destroyed crops, a local government official said today.

The floods in Moshi, near Mount Kilimanjaro, mostly affected residents who had previously been hit by drought, which had threatened up to 11 million people with starvation.

''I think we have more than 19,000 displaced. Up to now there are 998 houses that are under water,'' James ole Millya, Moshi Rural district commissioner, told Reuters by telephone.

He said more than 1,495 hectares of land was under water and 84 families had been moved to government institutions.

The floods, which ravaged the area last week, also destroyed crops in the fields as well as harvested produce, including maize, rice, millet and beans.

''There are some people whose food was stored indoors, which has been destroyed by the rains,'' ole Millya said.

Floodwater had also filled pit latrines and contaminated drinking water.

''At the moment, water for domestic use is definitely a problem.

Our health authorities have contained the situation and so far we have not had any disease outbreaks,'' ole Millya said.

He said the Tanzania Red Cross had donated 22 tonnes of food aid and promised another 71 tonnes. Another charity has given 40 tonnes of aid.

The Red Cross will give most of its aid to just over 11,000 of those displaced, who had also been affected by the food shortage during the drought, ole Millya said.

In recent months flooding has also affected Tanzania's neighbours Kenya, Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi.

Reuters SHB BST1628