Response to the Impact of Tropical Cyclone Chido in Mozambique: A CCCM Cluster Overview

Tropical Cyclone Chido struck Mozambique on December 15, 2024, severely damaging infrastructure and displacing many in Cabo Delgado, Niassa, and Nampula. Despite establishing four official accommodation centers, many continue to live in makeshift shelters. The CCCM Cluster partners are helping to address urgent needs for safety, basic services, and shelter improvements as recovery efforts progress.

The Tropical Cyclone Chido made landfall on December 15, 2024, in Mozambique, significantly impacting the southern districts of Cabo Delgado and Niassa, as well as the northern region of Nampula. The cyclone caused substantial infrastructure damage, resulted in loss of life and injuries, and displaced numerous people, thereby escalating the humanitarian crisis in both urban and rural areas. The CCCM Cluster partners, including IOM, UNHCR, ASMOG, and Pronanac, have been actively collaborating with local authorities and other humanitarian organizations to provide assistance to affected communities between December 14 and 30, 2024.

Currently, four formal accommodation centers have been established following the cyclone’s impact, with three located in Pemba district and one in Chiúre district. Additionally, several schools in Chiúre, Metuge, and Mecúfi have been identified to accommodate displaced individuals temporarily, functioning as reception centers during the day. However, these schools are not officially recognized as accommodation centers, necessitating collaborative efforts among CCCM teams, local authorities, and community committees to correctly designate these locations to enhance the delivery of essential assistance.

Many families are compelled to seek refuge in neighbors’ yards, community facilities, or schools, as they struggle to rebuild their homes or create improvised shelters. Beyond the basic needs for food, water, sanitation, hygiene, and shelter, there is an urgent requirement to improve living conditions for the affected populations. Key efforts include providing adequate lighting to ensure safety at night and enhancing coordination mechanisms to install essential services at reception centers, such as washing stations and communal toilets to reduce waiting times for aid.

Moreover, areas with existing informal neighborhoods have lost their original layout, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive replanning and improved road access. There is also a call to restore destroyed community facilities, including information and communication centers, by providing tools to local committees and implementing cash-for-work programs. While UNHCR and Pronanac have withdrawn management of three accommodation centers in Pemba, IOM continues to support affected families through mobile teams working closely with local authorities to facilitate their needs.

The situation in Mozambique following Tropical Cyclone Chido highlights the vulnerabilities of communities to disaster impacts and the critical need for coordinated humanitarian response efforts. The cyclone’s devastation has led to increased humanitarian crises, particularly in accommodation and living conditions for displaced individuals. The involvement of entities like IOM, UNHCR, and local authorities illustrates the necessity of collaborative approaches in disaster management and recovery efforts across the affected regions. Understanding these dynamics is essential for implementing sustainable recovery strategies and enhancing community resilience against future disasters.

The aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Chido has revealed significant challenges in addressing the immediate humanitarian needs of affected communities in Mozambique. Collaborative efforts among various humanitarian partners and local authorities are pivotal for effective disaster response and recovery. Continued focus on improving shelter conditions, physical infrastructure, and coordination services is crucial to ensure the dignity and safety of the displaced. It is imperative to prioritize supportive measures for those most vulnerable to future climatic events while facilitating their path toward recovery.

Original Source: reliefweb.int