Mozambique: Impact of Tropical Cyclone Chido and Ongoing…

Mozambique faces escalating challenges following Tropical Cyclone Chido, currently affecting over 453,000 individuals. Immediate assistance has reached at least 77,000 people, while a flash appeal seeks $88 million to assist 320,000 individuals impacted by the cyclone. Infrastructure damage, including thousands of homes and health facilities, along with agricultural losses, underscores the significant humanitarian crisis at hand.

As of December 27, 2024, Mozambique continues to grapple with the aftermath of the intense Tropical Cyclone Chido. The number of individuals affected has escalated since the cyclone made landfall, with humanitarian assessments ongoing to determine the full scale of the disaster. While over 77,000 individuals have received assistance within the first 12 days, the need for support is significant as the humanitarian community has launched a flash appeal targeting $88 million to aid 320,000 individuals directly impacted by the cyclone, including over 156,000 women and girls.

The situation continues to evolve, with 453,971 individuals—comprising approximately 90,513 families—reported affected across six provinces: Cabo Delgado, Nampula, Niassa, Tete, Manica, and Sofala. Cabo Delgado and Nampula are particularly hard hit, accounting for 98 percent of the afflicted population. Additionally, widespread infrastructure damage has been reported, including the destruction of around 70,400 homes and damage to 32,200 others. Furthermore, 52 health care facilities have suffered damage, curtailing access to essential medical services.

According to data from the World Food Programme’s Advanced Disaster Analysis and Mapping Flood Impact Analysis, more than 456,000 hectares—comprising approximately 28,000 hectares of cropland—have been submerged across the cyclone-affected regions. This widespread inundation has led to substantial agricultural losses, which are severely undermining livelihoods and food security for the impacted communities.

Tropical Cyclone Chido has inflicted significant damage across Mozambique, with ongoing efforts by the government and humanitarian organizations to address the profound effects of the disaster. The cyclone’s impact has resulted in a large number of individuals displaced, homes destroyed, and crucial infrastructure damaged, prompting an urgent need for both immediate and long-term assistance in the affected provinces. The humanitarian community’s mobilization of resources reflects the dire circumstances faced by the populations impacted by this natural disaster, necessitating a coordinated response to restore normalcy and support affected families.

In summary, Tropical Cyclone Chido poses a considerable challenge to Mozambique as the number of affected individuals rises. With significant destruction reported, the humanitarian community has responded with a flash appeal aimed at addressing the pressing needs of those impacted. The statistics outlined highlight the urgent necessity for sustained efforts to help the affected populations regain stability and rebuild in the wake of this devastating event.

Original Source: reliefweb.int