Mozambique Cyclone Dikeledi Humanitarian Response Update as of February 2025
Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi impacted Mozambique on 13 January 2025, notably affecting 283,334 individuals, damaging thousands of houses, schools, and health facilities. A humanitarian assessment identified urgent needs in shelter, food, WASH, and health services. Efforts are ongoing to provide support as the rainy season exacerbates the situation, with critical needs in food and construction materials persisting.
The Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi struck southern Mozambique on 13 January 2025, making landfall near Ilha de Mocambique in Nampula province and subsequently re-entering the Mozambique Channel the next day. The cyclone generated severe weather conditions, with record rainfall of 247mm in Mossuril and strong winds reaching 150 km/h, gusting up to 180 km/h. Approximately 283,334 individuals were affected, with extensive damage reported including 80,865 houses, 48 health facilities, 221 schools, and 4,092 hectares of agricultural land.
To address the aftermath, the National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) conducted a Multisector Initial Rapid Assessment (MIRA) between 25-29 January in specific districts. The assessment prioritized the urgent needs for shelter/non-food items (NFI), emergency food, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and health services. To date, 33,000 out of 234,000 target beneficiaries have received livelihoods support, while the Shelter/NFI cluster has assisted 18% of its targeted population.
Nonetheless, with the rainy season and lean season extending through April, critical needs for food, seeds, construction materials, nutrition, and protection services remain. Partners in the Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) sector are actively mobilizing resources and logistics to provide timely assistance to those affected by the disaster.
The humanitarian response to Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi in Mozambique highlights significant challenges and ongoing needs for numerous individuals affected by the disaster. The situation remains critical, as many have suffered extensive damage to homes and livelihoods. Urgent actions are required to mobilize resources and deliver essential supplies to meet the needs of the impacted population.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
