Impacts of Tropical Cyclone Chido in Mozambique: Situation Report and Response

Tropical Cyclone Chido struck on December 15, affecting over 380,000 people in Mozambique, resulting in serious damage to homes, health facilities, and schools. WFP acted quickly to assist emergency food needs, with ongoing support being provided in collaboration with other humanitarian organizations. Access challenges remain substantial due to damaged infrastructure, complicating recovery efforts.

On December 15th, Tropical Cyclone Chido struck the district of Mecufi in Cabo Delgado, impacting more than 380,000 individuals across the provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa. The disaster has resulted in extensive destruction, including 61,500 homes, 52 healthcare units, and 250 educational institutions. Tragically, the Ministry of Health has confirmed 76 fatalities and 768 injuries, with these figures expected to rise as assessments continue. In response, the World Food Programme (WFP) acted swiftly, providing emergency food assistance to 500 families in Pemba within 24 hours of the cyclone’s impact. Humanitarian efforts are ongoing, with distributions commencing on December 17th, reaching 23,000 people across multiple districts. Despite access challenges, including damaged roads, the UN Humanitarian Air Service resumed flights on December 18th, facilitating further aid delivery.

Tropical Cyclone Chido, categorized as a Category 4 storm, made landfall in southern Africa, particularly affecting the coastal region of Mozambique. The cyclone’s devastating winds and rain, exceeding 180 km/h and significant precipitation, led to widespread destruction across provincial districts. Humanitarian agencies like the WFP, alongside the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNICEF, have been instrumental in providing emergency relief to affected communities, navigating ongoing challenges such as blocked roads and structural damage. The situation remains fluid as recovery efforts progress.

In summary, Tropical Cyclone Chido has had a catastrophic impact on northern Mozambique, displacing thousands and damaging critical infrastructure. The timely intervention of humanitarian organizations, particularly WFP’s food assistance program, plays a vital role in addressing immediate needs. Continued assessments and aid distribution will be necessary as recovery efforts unfold in the face of substantial challenges.

Original Source: reliefweb.int