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Toronto – Death toll from the tragic mudslide in Gofa zone, Geze Gofa district, Kencho Shacha Gozdi locality of South Ethiopia has now reached over 260. On Tuesday the death toll was reported to be 229.
The accident has a devastating aspect. As many as 16 same family members are said to have perished and there is only a child survivor. People who lost two or three family members are said to be many.
The worst part of the accident happened on Monday around 10 a.m. as responders arrived in the area of the accident to help find victims from mudslides on Sunday night. Local authorities and police officers are said to be among the victims of the second wave of the mudslide.
Regional authorities and the Federal government mobilized emergency response for the search efforts and at this writing it is the operation is still underway.
According to the report from state media, Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporate, residents are taking part in the search effort. It is entirely by human labor. The hope of getting survivors is becoming increasingly unlikely after three days buried under the mudslide.
Despite an ongoing war in the Amhara and Oromia regions of Ethiopia that claim lives on a daily basis, the tragic accident in Gamo Gofa seems to have shocked Ethiopians across the country. Government officials are also expressing condolences and grieves.
Ethiopian President Sahlework Zewde and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed have expressed condolences to the families of those who died in the tragic accident.
Tagesse Chafo, speaker of the House of People’s Representative, whose home town is in the Gamo zone, headed to the tragedy to express his grief.
Displaced people and humanitarian support
South Ethiopia regional state communication office on Wednesday announced that about 600 residents from the area where the accident happened are displaced.
The office stated that Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission (EDRMC) is providing emergency humanitarian support to those affected by the accident. So far the Federal government has reportedly offered only 520 quintals of food and non food items.
There is also an ongoing mobilization of resources to help support those affected including the victims families. Ethio Telecom – the state-owned telecom operator – on Wednesday announced numbers for text messages for fundraising to help victims of the tragic accident.
Cause of the natural disaster
The mudslide in the Gamo zone is linked to heavy rain that the area received on Sunday and Monday. There had been mudslide accidents in the region in the past. But they were not as devastating as this one.
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The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church should help survivors and others who have been displaced. The church is raising funds on a regular basis and has even donated millions to a civil war that has resulted in the slaughter of millions and the demolition of churches and mosques. They must extend their support to everyone affected by the mudslide, regardless of ethnic or religious affiliation. Background checks should not be required to provide assistance to those in need,
as the Good Samaritan demonstrated in the Holy Bible. Other mosques and churches could take part in the same sacred and noble mission. May Almighty God grant eternal rest to all who have lost their lives in this tragic incident. We extend our heartfelt condolences to their families and friends. Amen!
Woe, woe, woe!!! My heart bleeds with sorrow for my beloved people. This is nobody’s fault. Landslides occur everywhere including in the most developed countries. Now, it is time again for all of us in our Diaspora to shine. I am sure international humanitarian groups like the Red Cross could be there already providing assistance to the survivors. Let’s pitch in the last red cent in our pockets to help our countrymen/women through these reputable aid providing groups only. We will be blessed. This shall pass! Insha’Allah!