Impact of Cyclone Jude on Mozambique: Devastation for Children and Families

Cyclone Jude has disrupted education for approximately 20,000 children in Mozambique, affecting over 747,000 people. The cyclone caused extensive damage, exacerbating a pre-existing crisis from earlier cyclones. UNICEF reports the urgent need for resources to aid recovery, as infrastructure and essential services have suffered greatly.

Cyclone Jude has recently struck Mozambique, leading to significant destruction particularly in the education sector. Initial assessments reveal that approximately 20,000 children have been deprived of education due to the destruction of schools. Additionally, more than 20,000 homes have sustained damage from the cyclone’s impact, which affected an estimated 747,000 individuals across the northern provinces of Nampula, Niassa, and Zambezia.

Hitting Nampula on Monday, October 3rd, Cyclone Jude unleashed winds reaching 195 km/h, accompanied by heavy rainfall. This severe weather has inflicted considerable damage to essential infrastructure, including roads, water and power systems, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions. Reports from UNICEF indicate that 17,000 children have been directly affected, with this number anticipated to increase in the following days.

Moreover, the cyclone has led to intense flooding, heightening the risk of water-borne diseases, such as cholera and diarrhoea—conditions that pose serious threats to children’s health. Concurrently, significant damage to key transport routes is hindering the distribution of vital supplies needed by the affected population. This crisis arrives as over 730,000 people are still recovering from the impacts of previous cyclones, Chido and Dikeledi, which devastated over 150,000 homes, 471 schools, and 100 health facilities.

UNICEF’s representative in Mozambique, Mary Louise Eagleton, emphasized the dire situation, stating, “The impact of Cyclone Jude on hundreds of thousands of children and families already affected by Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi is devastating. Extreme winds and heavy rains have destroyed critical infrastructure and are depriving vulnerable children of essential services.” She also noted the ongoing efforts by UNICEF and partners to assist those impacted but highlighted the urgent need for additional resources due to the compounded effects of three cyclones in quick succession.

Cyclone Jude has inflicted severe damage on Mozambique, particularly affecting children’s access to education and essential services. With thousands of homes destroyed and the threat of water-borne diseases rising, urgent international assistance is necessary. UNICEF and partners are actively working to address these challenges, yet the strain on resources is significant. The situation underscores the need for a coordinated humanitarian response to support the affected populations.

Original Source: clubofmozambique.com