Cyclone Chido has caused significant devastation in northern Mozambique, displacing thousands and damaging vital infrastructure. The UNHCR is actively involved in providing emergency assistance and protection services to those affected and is assessing the broader implications of the storm in regional contexts. As the situation remains critical, further humanitarian support will be necessary to address the urgent needs of vulnerable communities.
Tropical Cyclone Chido has struck northern Mozambique, resulting in catastrophic damages particularly in the Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces. The storm has caused significant destruction, affecting homes, displacing thousands of individuals, and impairing communication networks and road access, thereby complicating humanitarian efforts in regions already accommodating substantial numbers of forcibly displaced persons.
The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is expressing deep concern for the impacted vulnerable populations and is working diligently with the Mozambican government and various humanitarian partners to deliver immediate aid. Within just two days post-cyclone, UNHCR commenced relief distribution at Pemba’s largest shelter, offering emergency supplies including blankets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets, and emergency shelter resources to over 2,600 people. In addition, the agency is coordinating protection services aimed at the most susceptible communities.
While extensive evaluations of the consequences in rural areas are still pending, initial assessments indicate that approximately 190,000 individuals are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Furthermore, the cyclone has damaged 33 schools and obliterated nearly 10,000 homes, with some villages witnessing the loss of nearly every structure. Ongoing conflict, forced displacement, and economic adversities had exacerbated the vulnerability of these communities, making the aftermath of Cyclone Chido particularly devastating for displaced families who have lost their limited resources once again.
Prior to the cyclone, UNHCR and its partners had strategically positioned emergency relief items and collaborated with the government to disseminate disaster preparedness information across the affected provinces through various media platforms. Even though some areas within Nampula faced challenges, the refugee population residing in Maratane camp, mainly from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi, experienced minor damage, suggesting the success of recent investments in climate-resilient infrastructure.
In addition to Mozambique, Cyclone Chido had a severe impact on Mayotte, a French overseas territory, leading to multiple fatalities, infrastructure damage, and heightened vulnerabilities for asylum-seekers and refugees. UNHCR is actively assessing the situation and is in coordination with local agencies for a response. Likewise, southern Malawi endured destructive winds and rainfall due to the storm, with UNHCR having pre-positioned shelter kits to aid the government’s mitigation efforts.
UNHCR remains apprehensive that Cyclone Chido may herald the onset of a particularly harsh rainy season, which has historically invited cyclones and severe flooding within the region. Displaced communities, already grappling with recovery efforts, face further risks of loss and displacement, spotlighting the continued adverse effects of climate change on the most vulnerable populations.
UNHCR remains committed to supporting affected communities throughout Mozambique and the broader region, working collaboratively with governmental and humanitarian allies. However, the organization faces dwindling resources, with a pressing need for urgent assistance for thousands in the days to come.
Cyclone Chido’s landfall in Mozambique has exacerbated an already precarious situation marked by conflict and displacement in the region, particularly in Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces. Years of adversity have left local populations vulnerable, and the cyclone’s destruction has further intensified their hardships. As the UNHCR works to assist these communities, the urgency for humanitarian aid is critical, primarily as many have lost their homes and essential supplies, further complicating recovery from previous displacements and economic difficulties.
Cyclone Chido has inflicted severe damage on communities in northern Mozambique, displacing thousands and complicating humanitarian efforts in an area already affected by conflict and displacement. The ongoing collaboration between UNHCR, the government, and humanitarian partners aims to address immediate needs, yet there is a pressing concern regarding the depletion of resources and the potential for further climatic disruptions. Immediate action and support are crucial to help affected populations recover and rebuild.
Original Source: www.unhcr.org
