Cyclone Chido’s Devastating Impact on Mozambique: Urgent Humanitarian Response Needed
Tropical Cyclone Chido has caused significant damage in northern Mozambique, affecting around 90,000 children and destroying critical infrastructure. The cyclone has exacerbated existing humanitarian crises, particularly in Cabo Delgado, where conflict and food insecurity have already posed severe challenges. Various UN agencies are coordinating emergency responses to aid the displaced and address health concerns resulting from the disaster.
Tropical Cyclone Chido has devastated northern Mozambique, particularly in the Cabo Delgado province, impacting approximately 90,000 children and displacing numerous families. The storm, which made landfall over the weekend, has resulted in substantial destruction, with over 35,000 homes reported damaged or destroyed. Furthermore, at least 186,000 classrooms and 20 health facilities have also suffered destruction due to the cyclone’s severe winds and heavy rains. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimated that the overall number of affected individuals may rise beyond 174,000 as ongoing assessments reveal further impacts.
The cyclone struck near the city of Pemba, significantly damaging civilian infrastructure, including electricity and communication networks. Mary Louise Eagleton, UNICEF Representative in Mozambique, emphasized that this region is highly vulnerable to climate change, compounding existing crises such as conflict and health emergencies already affecting children in the area before the cyclone hit. Ongoing humanitarian responses are a priority, but challenges remain immense for vulnerable populations.
Cabo Delgado has been embroiled in conflict for seven years, leading to over 1.3 million people being internally displaced, particularly women and children. Cyclone Chido has exacerbated these dire conditions, destroying essential resources and further complicating recovery efforts. Simultaneously, areas in Nampula and Niassa provinces also experienced disruption, with damage to two water facilities and power supply issues affecting over 25,000 families. The potential for further health crises, including cholera outbreaks exacerbated by the recent devastation, is a significant concern.
UN agencies, including the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Health Organization (WHO), are actively involved in providing emergency aid and health assessments in the affected regions. Within the first two days of the disaster, UNHCR supplied emergency relief to over 2,600 individuals in Pemba. Preliminary assessments indicated that approximately 190,000 individuals are in urgent need of assistance, with many homes and schools left in ruins.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has pledged support and confirmed that UN teams are mobilizing to deliver essential aid, although logistical challenges due to limited supplies persist. Tom Fletcher, the Emergency Relief Coordinator, has allocated $4 million towards initial humanitarian efforts in Mozambique. Looking ahead, the World Food Programme (WFP) anticipates further food insecurity across the region amid these escalating crises.
The cyclone’s destructive path extended beyond Mozambique, impacting the French overseas territory of Mayotte and parts of southern Malawi, where strong winds and rains contributed to significant property damage and heightened risks for vulnerable communities. The situation remains critical as UN agencies coordinate responses to aid those displaced and affected by Cyclone Chido.
Cyclone Chido’s impact reflects broader challenges within the context of climate change and humanitarian crises in Mozambique. The region has faced multiple adversities, including prolonged conflict, food insecurity, and health emergencies, contributing to a vulnerable population. Cabo Delgado alone has experienced violence and instability for several years, which has disrupted community life and led to significant displacement. Even prior to Cyclone Chido, children in the area faced numerous risks, and this cyclone has further intensified these challenges, necessitating urgent humanitarian intervention and support from local and international organizations.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Chido has inflicted severe damage upon northern Mozambique, jeopardizing the lives of approximately 90,000 children and displacing many families. With critical infrastructure destroyed and existing humanitarian crises exacerbated, the region is in desperate need of comprehensive aid. As agencies mobilize to provide relief and assess ongoing needs, the situation underscores the urgent requirement for steadfast assistance to help affected communities rebuild and recover from this disaster.
Original Source: news.un.org
