Mozambique Faces Severe Humanitarian Crisis Amid Cyclone Devastation

Mozambique’s cyclone crisis has left 737,305 affected, with urgent funding needs of US$ 7,991,000 for assistance. Cyclone Chido, a Category 4 storm, devastated coastal provinces, affecting primarily Nampula and Cabo Delgado, with Cyclone Dikeledi following closely. Immediate aid is critical, especially for internally displaced persons already facing challenges from prior conflicts and climate impacts.

As of January 30, 2025, Mozambique faces a significant humanitarian crisis following the impacts of Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi. Cyclone Chido, a Category 4 storm that struck on December 15, 2024, has affected over 737,305 individuals, with 30,000 people benefiting from United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) interventions. An estimated US$ 7,991,000 is urgently required to extend assistance to 362,000 more residents in need, highlighting the dire circumstances faced by vulnerable populations.

Cyclone Chido impacted northern Mozambique’s coastal provinces severely, particularly in Nampula and Cabo Delgado. With wind gusts reaching up to 80 kilometers per hour, Cyclone Chido unleashed torrential rains exceeding 250 mm within a day, coinciding with the onset of the rainy season—a period prone to cyclones and floods. Subsequently, Cyclone Dikeledi made landfall on January 13, further affecting over 283,000 people, posing additional risks and emphasizing the need for ongoing preparedness and response efforts.

The government reports that Cyclone Chido alone has affected around 453,000 individuals, particularly in the provinces of Cabo Delgado and Nampula. The storms have impacted 272,832 and 175,169 people, respectively, exacerbating the situation for significant numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs) who were already facing challenges due to ongoing conflicts. The confluence of these climate disasters and social unrest creates perilous conditions for recovery and rehabilitation for these communities.

Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi have caused unprecedented devastation in Mozambique, particularly highlighting the vulnerabilities of northern coastal regions. Mozambique contends with an annual rainy season that elevates the risk of cyclones, historically resulting in detrimental flooding and economic strain. The compounded crisis affecting IDPs and vulnerable communities illustrates the extensive ramifications of climate change and conflict, necessitating urgent humanitarian assistance and preparedness measures.

In conclusion, the adverse effects of Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi underscore a critical humanitarian situation in Mozambique, with hundreds of thousands affected. Urgent funding and continued support are essential to help those impacted, particularly the most vulnerable populations, including IDPs. The situation demands a coordinated response to address both immediate needs and longer-term recovery efforts.

Original Source: reliefweb.int