Tropical Cyclone Chido struck Mozambique in mid-December 2024, affecting over 453,971 people, causing significant casualties and widespread destruction. Key provinces impacted include Cabo Delgado, with near-total losses reported in Mecufi, and Nampula, facing a cholera outbreak. The humanitarian response is struggling against immense needs for shelter, food, and medical supplies, compounded by existing crises of drought and conflict. Urgent funding is required to stabilize the situation and support recovery efforts.
Tropical Cyclone Chido has inflicted significant devastation upon communities in Mozambique, having made landfall on December 15, 2024. It brought with it torrential rains that surpassed 250 mm and winds reaching up to 120 km/h, immediately causing extensive destruction. As of December 24, 2024, the National Institute for Natural Disasters reported that approximately 453,971 individuals have been affected, with fatalities numbering 120 and injuries at 868, while thousands of homes, schools, and health facilities have been damaged or destroyed.
The hardest-hit areas include Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces, where tens of thousands have lost their homes. In Cabo Delgado alone, the number impacted is estimated at 272,000, with districts such as Mecufi experiencing near-total destruction. Despite early evacuation efforts, the crisis has been exacerbated by a cholera outbreak in Nampula, which has already reported 302 cases and 29 deaths. Compounding these challenges, damaged roads hinder the delivery of essential medical supplies and evacuation efforts.
The humanitarian response, although underway, is struggling to keep pace with the overwhelming needs. The affected populations require immediate assistance, including shelter, food, potable water, and medical supplies, especially as the cyclone struck regions already grappling with violence from armed conflicts. Gender-based violence and other protection concerns have increased, with risks heightened for displaced individuals. Furthermore, essential infrastructure such as health facilities and schools are in dire need of repairs to prevent further disruptions to education and healthcare services.
Currently, urgent financial support is required to sustain and expand humanitarian efforts, especially in light of existing crises caused by drought, conflict, and ongoing healthcare challenges. The humanitarian operation in Mozambique has mobilized funding, but significant gaps remain. As assessments reveal the true scale of the disaster, it is critical that the international community responds promptly to address the dire needs and prevent further loss of life and livelihoods.
The impact of Tropical Cyclone Chido has been profound, with communities in Mozambique facing severe repercussions from cyclone-related destruction. The cyclone’s landfall has left thousands in dire conditions, disrupting housing, healthcare, and education. Moreover, the situation is complicated by the ongoing effects of drought and conflict within the country, necessitating a multifaceted humanitarian response. Understanding these interconnected crises is vital for addressing the immediate needs of the affected populations effectively.
The urgency for a coordinated humanitarian response in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Chido cannot be overstated. As Mozambicans grapple with the ramifications of the cyclone, it is essential that the international community steps up to meet the overwhelming needs for shelter, food, medical supplies, and protection. Failure to act promptly may exacerbate an already dire situation, further compromising public welfare and safety in affected regions.
Original Source: www.unocha.org
