Impact of Tropical Cyclone Chido in Mozambique: A Humanitarian Crisis
Tropical Cyclone Chido hit northern Mozambique on December 15, 2024, causing severe destruction with winds of 120 km/h and over 250 mm of rain. It has affected 174,000 people, led to 34 deaths, and devastated agricultural sectors, leaving communities vulnerable to food insecurity and disease outbreaks. Urgent recovery efforts are needed to assist affected households and restore livelihoods.
On December 15, 2024, Tropical Cyclone Chido struck the Mecufi district in Cabo Delgado Province, Mozambique, unleashing winds reaching speeds of 120 km/h and delivering torrential rains that surpassed 250 mm within a 24-hour period. The cyclone has caused significant damage across northern Mozambique, with the provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa bearing the brunt of the destruction; Tete and northern Zambézia also experiencing adverse effects. As reported by the National Institute for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction (INGD), approximately 174,000 individuals have been impacted, resulting in 34 fatalities and 319 injuries.
The cyclone has obliterated over 35,000 homes, severely impairing vital infrastructure such as schools, health facilities, and water systems. The repercussions of the cyclone have intensified existing vulnerabilities, particularly within Cabo Delgado, which is already faced with conflict-related displacement and a cholera outbreak. In the Mecufi and Chiure districts of Cabo Delgado, the devastation is nearly total, rendering all homes affected and health services entirely incapacitated.
Furthermore, the agricultural sector has suffered catastrophic losses, with thousands of hectares of maize, beans, sesame, and cassava crops destroyed, leading to diminished food stocks and leaving communities without viable means of recovery. In Nampula province, the Memba and Erati districts have reported that over 3,600 families are affected, with substantial damage inflicted on fishing resources and their livelihoods. The destruction of water and sanitation infrastructure has escalated the risk of waterborne diseases, notably cholera, while disrupted communication and power networks pose significant challenges to humanitarian responses.
Given that over 80 percent of Mozambicans depend on agriculture for sustenance and income, it is imperative to implement immediate measures to aid affected households in rebuilding their lives, securing livelihoods, and restoring access to nutritious food.
The context surrounding Tropical Cyclone Chido’s impact on Mozambique involves a series of pre-existing challenges exacerbated by the cyclone’s devastation. The country, which has experienced conflicts displacing many inhabitants, is now facing a major humanitarian crisis. The infrastructure damage, accompanied by health risks such as cholera outbreaks, presents significant hurdles for recovery efforts. The reliance of the majority of the population on agriculture for sustenance highlights the urgency of support for affected communities to rebuild their livelihoods after the cyclone’s destruction.
In conclusion, Tropical Cyclone Chido has wrought considerable devastation across northern Mozambique, particularly affecting Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa provinces. The destruction of homes and critical infrastructure, alongside agricultural losses, poses substantial challenges for recovery. With the heightened risk of cholera outbreaks and the extensive impact on livelihoods, it is essential for urgent interventions to support the affected populations in rebuilding and regaining access to essential resources.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
