Impact of Tropical Cyclone Jude on Mozambique and Humanitarian Response

Tropical Cyclone Jude caused severe damage in Mozambique upon its landfall on March 10, 2025, creating humanitarian needs exacerbated by prior cyclones. Response efforts began shortly after landfall, with local authorities activating accommodation centers amid stretched resources. Collaboration is vital for effective assistance, and there is a critical need to enhance living conditions and support displaced families, particularly in education recovery.

On March 6, 2025, a low-pressure system in the southwestern Indian Ocean developed into Tropical Cyclone Jude, which reached Mozambique on March 10. It made landfall in the district of Mossuril, Nampula province, unleashing winds of 195 km/h and over 250 mm of rainfall within 24 hours. This cyclone has severely impacted infrastructure, caused casualties, and displaced communities, exacerbating already high humanitarian needs in both urban and rural areas.

The northern region’s humanitarian response capacity is currently overstretched as it deals with the aftermath of previous cyclones, Chido and Dikeledi, which struck in December 2024 and January 2025, respectively. The Technical Council for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management initiated anticipatory actions on March 8, leading the CCCM response to start on March 9 in Angoche and Mogincual. Readiness activities included distributing cleaning tools, communicating with communities, engaging disaster risk reduction committees, and aiding the National Institute of Disaster Management (INGD).

Following the cyclone’s impact, local authorities activated accommodation centers in several districts across Nampula and Zambézia. Site management teams have begun assessing immediate needs and coordinating operations. CCCM and DTM teams identified 59 temporary accommodation facilities in nine districts of Nampula and one in Zambézia housing displaced populations. However, many of these sites lack formal recognition as accommodation centers, leading to inconsistent treatment among humanitarian partners. Enhanced collaboration among the CCCM Cluster, local authorities, and relevant teams is critical for proper classification and assistance.

Some families are serving as night commuters, seeking refuge in temporary shelters such as schools, churches, and unfinished buildings. Their efforts to rebuild homes or create makeshift shelters have been challenging. Immediate needs include food, water, shelter, health services, and sanitation, but there is also an urgent requirement to improve living conditions across temporary facilities. This improvement entails creating dignified living circumstances, overcoming coordination obstacles, and raising awareness on key issues while ensuring basic services are installed at reception sites.

The cyclone’s impact on educational institutions has further delayed children’s return to education, emphasizing the necessity for coordinated support for displaced families. Partners are urged to engage proactively, coordinate efforts bilaterally, and integrate educational needs into response plans to mitigate the cyclone’s long-term effects. Meanwhile, the CCCM Cluster will consistently update the list of temporary accommodation facilities with assistance from DTM and local authorities, though challenges remain as families continue to leave such sites under various circumstances.

Tropical Cyclone Jude has significantly impacted Mozambique, prompting urgent humanitarian responses to address the needs of affected populations. The response is complicated by prior cyclone events, leading to stretched resources. Key actions include the activation of accommodation centers, improved living conditions in temporary facilities, and efforts to reintegrate education. Enhanced coordination among humanitarian partners is crucial to effectively respond to and support displaced communities in the face of this disaster.

Original Source: reliefweb.int