Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi have impacted 737,305 people in Mozambique. An urgent US$ 7,991,000 is needed to assist an additional 362,000 people. Cyclone Chido made landfall on 15 December 2024, followed by Dikeledi on 13 January 2025, exacerbating challenges for the affected regions, especially for vulnerable IDPs.
As of 30 January 2025, Mozambique is grappling with the aftermath of Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi, which have collectively impacted 737,305 individuals, with reports indicating that UNHCR has reached 30,000 people through humanitarian interventions. An estimated US$ 7,991,000 is urgently required to extend assistance to an additional 362,000 individuals still in need.
Cyclone Chido, which struck on 15 December 2024, was a Category 4 storm that devastated northern coastal provinces, including Nampula and Cabo Delgado, where winds reached 80 kilometers per hour combined with heavy rainfall exceeding 250 mm within 24 hours. This cyclone coincided with Mozambique’s rainy season, heightening the risk of further cyclonic activity and flooding, particularly adverse for vulnerable communities.
Following Chido, Cyclone Dikeledi impacted over 283,000 people when it made landfall in Nampula on 13 January 2025. The current situation is exacerbated by ongoing vigilance against potential additional cyclones during this particularly intense weather cycle, commonly occurring from November to March.
According to government reports, Cyclone Chido has directly affected over 453,000 individuals, with Cabo Delgado and Nampula recording 272,832 and 175,169 affected respectively. Many regions impacted also house internally displaced persons (IDPs), who face compounded crises due to both conflicts and climate-induced challenges.
Cyclone Chido and Cyclone Dikeledi represent significant climatic events that have led to severe humanitarian crises in Mozambique. Cyclone Chido initiated the rainy season, a period historically associated with increased cyclone threats and flooding. The dual impact of these storms has particularly affected already vulnerable communities already struggling with displacement due to conflict, indicating a need for urgent humanitarian response to address recovery and resilience needs.
In summary, the cyclonic events in Mozambique have created a critical humanitarian situation affecting over 737,000 people, necessitating extensive aid to assist those impacted. Urgent funding is required to provide relief for the vulnerable populations, particularly IDPs, exacerbated by a combination of climatic and conflict-induced adversities. The ongoing threat of further cyclonic activity during the rainy season underscores the importance of preparedness and response efforts.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
