Mozambique Faces Growing Humanitarian Crisis Following Cyclone Chido
Cyclone Chido has affected over 329,510 individuals in northern Mozambique, particularly in Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa provinces. Severe damage to homes, health facilities, and water systems has compounded the vulnerabilities of displaced populations. Efforts to address urgent needs are ongoing, but challenges such as limited resources hinder rapid assistance.
As the aftermath of Cyclone Chido continues to unfold, it has been reported that the number of individuals affected is rapidly increasing across Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa provinces. This rise is attributed to expanded efforts by assessment and response teams, which have managed to access additional areas for data collection. According to the National Institute for Disaster Management, the cyclone has impacted an estimated 65,282 families, equivalent to 329,510 individuals, with the majority of those affected residing in Cabo Delgado Province.
Severe destruction has resulted in the loss of 39,133 homes, while 13,343 houses sustained significant damage, leaving countless families vulnerable and exposed to protection risks. This destruction coincides with the onset of the rainy season, further heightening the risk of complications for displaced persons and host communities still dealing with ongoing conflicts. Many health facilities have reported damages, hampering vital health services, while destroyed water systems have limited access to clean water, raising concerns regarding potential disease outbreaks.
Efforts to respond to these challenges are being coordinated by the Mozambique Humanitarian Country Team and various development partners. They are actively mobilizing resources to fulfill the pressing needs for shelter, food, water and sanitation, health services, and protection. However, the ongoing situation is compounded by overstretched capacities and diminishing stockpiles, which complicate the swift scale-up of assistance efforts. It is imperative to address the loss of seeds due to the cyclone to mitigate dependency on external aid and promote regional food security.
Mozambique has been facing significant challenges due to the impact of Cyclone Chido, which struck various provinces, leading to widespread destruction and humanitarian crises. Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa provinces have been particularly hard hit, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities from ongoing conflicts and increasing the number of displaced individuals. The humanitarian response focuses on addressing critical needs, including shelter, healthcare, clean water, and food security, amidst resource constraints and environmental challenges.
In summary, the repercussions of Cyclone Chido continue to intensify as affected populations increase across Mozambique’s northern provinces. The urgent need for humanitarian assistance remains, as infrastructural damage has significantly disrupted living conditions and health services. Coordination between national and international partners is fundamental in mobilizing resources to address the escalating needs, as the challenges posed by resource limitations threaten the effectiveness and speed of the response efforts.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
