Mozambique’s Humanitarian Response to Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi (2025)

Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi impacted Mozambique on January 13, 2025, affecting approximately 283,334 individuals. Severe weather led to extensive damage, including over 80,000 houses, numerous schools, and health facilities. Assessments have identified critical needs in shelter, food, and hygiene. Efforts to provide humanitarian assistance are ongoing amidst the continued adverse weather conditions.

On January 13, 2025, Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi struck Mozambique, making landfall south of Ilha de Mocambique in Nampula province. It continued its path, reentering the Mozambique Channel the following day. The cyclone resulted in extreme weather conditions, with Mossuril reporting the highest rainfall at 247mm, followed by Muecate at 240.1mm and Nampula at 210.4mm. Winds reached speeds of 150km/h, with gusts up to 180km/h.

An estimated 283,334 individuals have been affected, with damages to approximately 80,865 houses, 48 health facilities, 221 schools, and 4,092 hectares of agricultural land. The National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) partnered to conduct a Multisector Initial Rapid Assessment from January 25 to 29 in the affected areas, identifying critical needs in shelter, non-food items (NFI), food, water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), and health services.

To date, 33,000 of the 234,000 targeted beneficiaries have received livelihood assistance. The Shelter/NFI cluster has provided support to 18% of its intended recipients, while the WASH sector has reached 14% of its target via hygiene promotion, water supply efforts, and distribution of WASH kits. As the rainy and cyclone season persists until April, the urgency for food, seeds, construction materials, and protection assistance remains paramount, with Food Security and Livelihood (FSL) partners mobilizing resources and logistics for prompt aid delivery.

Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi has severely affected Mozambique, impacting over 283,000 individuals. Significant infrastructure damage has been reported, with essential needs identified across food security, shelter, and hygiene sectors. While humanitarian efforts are underway, the ongoing rainy season necessitates continued support and resource mobilization to alleviate the suffering of the affected populations.

Original Source: reliefweb.int