Mozambique: Humanitarian Crisis Following Cyclone Chido
As of December 2024, over 329,510 people in Mozambique have been affected by Tropical Cyclone Chido, with Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa provinces suffering significant damage. The ongoing humanitarian response faces challenges due to resource limitations, while critical infrastructure has been compromised, increasing vulnerability to disease and livelihood loss. Immediate mobilization of resources is necessary to address urgent needs across affected regions.
The impact of Tropical Cyclone Chido continues to escalate, with significant numbers of people affected across Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa provinces in Mozambique. Recent assessments indicate that approximately 65,282 families, equating to around 329,510 individuals, have faced severe challenges, including the destruction of homes and loss of essential resources. The National Institute for Disaster Management has reported particular hardships in Cabo Delgado, where a staggering 217,000 individuals are experiencing compounded vulnerabilities due to ongoing conflicts. The cyclone has caused extensive damage to shelter infrastructure, leaving 39,133 homes utterly destroyed and over 13,000 suffering damages, which exposes families to heightened protection risks, especially with the imminent rainy season.
Humanitarian response efforts are currently underway to address urgent needs in Shelter and Non-Food Items (NFIs), Food, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Health, and Protection services. However, local capacities are being stretched thin as stockpiles of necessary aid dwindle, hindering the timely provision of assistance. The Mozambique Humanitarian Country Team, alongside Development Cooperation Partners, is actively working to mobilize resources to support the government’s initiatives aimed at alleviating the suffering of the affected populations. Unfortunately, damages to critical infrastructure, such as 49 health facilities and water systems, exacerbate the situation by disrupting essential services and increasing the potential for disease outbreaks as communities are left without access to clean water.
Immediate actions are paramount, especially in replenishing seeds that were lost due to the cyclone’s destructive forces, to facilitate agricultural sustainability and mitigate dependency on external aid. In conclusion, a concerted effort from humanitarian agencies, local authorities, and international partners is essential to address the escalating crisis in Mozambique, ensuring that the basic needs of the affected populations are met with urgency and efficiency.
Cyclone Chido has devastated parts of Mozambique, leading to a humanitarian crisis affecting hundreds of thousands of individuals. The provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa have been severely impacted, with extensive damage to both homes and vital infrastructure. The onset of the rainy season aggravates the vulnerabilities faced by the affected populations, particularly those already struggling due to ongoing conflicts and internal displacement. Humanitarian agencies are working to assess needs and deliver aid, but are confronted with logistical and resource challenges hindered by the scale of the disaster.
Tropical Cyclone Chido has inflicted devastating consequences on Mozambique, requiring urgent humanitarian intervention. As damage assessments reveal a rising number of affected individuals, the situation demands immediate action to provide shelter, clean water, food, and medical assistance. The collaboration between national agencies and international partners is crucial for an efficient response, while the replenishment of agricultural supplies is essential to foster recovery and resilience among the impacted communities.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
