Tropical Cyclone Chido made landfall in Mozambique on 15 December 2024, causing heavy rainfall and strong winds, severely impacting Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa provinces. With over 174,000 people affected and significant infrastructure damage, the response is hindered by limited supplies. Urgent humanitarian aid is required, particularly for vulnerable populations.
On 15 December 2024, Tropical Cyclone Chido struck Mozambique, resulting in severe weather conditions including heavy rainfall of up to 250mm within 24 hours and winds reaching 120 km/h. The cyclone impacted primarily Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa provinces, causing extensive damage. Early assessments indicate at least 174,158 individuals have been affected, with over 35,000 homes destroyed. The response has been challenged by a lack of supplies and infrastructure damage, prompting the Emergency Relief Coordinator to allocate $4 million for immediate aid. The cyclone has also raised significant humanitarian concerns, particularly regarding the safety of vulnerable populations, including women, children, and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
As the storm progressed to Malawi and Zimbabwei, assessments revealed devastating impacts in various districts. In Cabo Delgado, reports indicated widespread destruction in districts such as Mecufi and Chiure, where a significant percentage of homes were severely damaged. In the Metuge district, urgent healthcare needs arose due to the loss of medical supplies and facilities. Rescue efforts are underway, but challenges such as damaged communication networks hinder a coordinated response. The affected areas require immediate support in shelter, food, and medical supplies to address ongoing crises. Additionally, essential protection measures for vulnerable groups must be prioritized to prevent further risks associated with displacement and lack of civil documentation services.
Tropical Cyclone Chido has presented a significant humanitarian crisis in Mozambique as it made landfall on 15 December 2024. With unprecedented rainfall and strong winds, the cyclone has adversely affected multiple provinces, notably Cabo Delgado, leading to loss of lives, injury, and widespread destruction of infrastructure. In Mozambique, the impact of natural disasters like cyclones is often exacerbated by existing vulnerabilities, economic hardship, and limited resources for disaster preparedness and response. The recent cyclone serves as a reminder of the urgent need for disaster risk reduction strategies and bolstering community resilience against future climate-related events.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Chido has delivered a severe blow to Mozambique, resulting in extensive humanitarian needs as well as destruction across several provinces. While immediate relief efforts are underway funded by international support, it is imperative to address the long-term recovery and the particular vulnerabilities of impacted populations. Through coordinated efforts and support for essential services, including healthcare, shelter, and protection for vulnerable groups, Mozambique can initiate a pathway towards recovery from this devastating event.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
