Mozambique: 2025 Humanitarian Response to Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi
Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi impacted Mozambique on January 13, 2025, affecting 283,334 people and damaging over 80,000 houses. A MIRA was conducted, highlighting urgent needs for shelter, food, and hygiene. While some assistance has been provided, many remain without aid, necessitating immediate mobilization of resources by FSL partners.
Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi struck Mozambique on January 13, 2025, making landfall in Nampula province and causing significant devastation. The cyclone produced severe weather, with recorded rainfall of 247 mm in Mossuril, 240.1 mm in Muecate, and 210.4 mm in Nampula, accompanied by wind speeds reaching 150 km/h and gusts up to 180 km/h. Approximately 283,334 individuals have been affected, with 80,865 houses damaged, including 44,012 that were partially damaged and 36,853 that were completely destroyed. Additionally, 48 health facilities, 221 schools, and significant agricultural land has been impacted.
From January 25 to January 29, a Multisector Initial Rapid Assessment (MIRA) was conducted by INGD and OCHA in several districts, including Nacala Porto and Ilha de Mozambique. This assessment identified critical needs such as shelter, emergency food, water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), and health services. So far, only 33,000 individuals of the targeted 234,000 have received livelihood assistance. The Shelter/NFI cluster has met 18 percent of its target by distributing non-food items and tarps, while the WASH sector has achieved 14 percent of its goal through hygiene promotion and water trucking.
As the rainy and cyclone season continues until April, urgent needs for food, seeds, construction materials, nutrition, and protection assistance are paramount. Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) partners are mobilizing resources and logistics to provide assistance promptly, given the ongoing challenges faced by affected communities. Current efforts aim to address the immediate needs exacerbated by the recent cyclone damage to infrastructure and agriculture.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi has caused extensive damage in Mozambique, with a considerable number of people affected and homes destroyed. Immediate humanitarian assessments have identified critical needs in shelter, food, and hygiene, but only a fraction of the required assistance has been delivered. Urgent action is necessary to mobilize resources and aid to support the impacted populations during this challenging period.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
