Tropical Cyclone Chido struck northern Mozambique on December 15, 2024, affecting approximately 380,000 individuals across the provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa. With urgent needs for shelter, food, and sanitation, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is seeking USD 12.16 million for relief efforts over the next six months.
On December 15, 2024, Tropical Cyclone Chido struck northern Mozambique, severely affecting the provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa. The cyclone unleashed torrential rain, accumulating 250 mm in just 24 hours, along with winds reaching 260 km/h. The National Institute for Natural Disaster (INGD) estimates that approximately 380,000 individuals, equivalent to 76,100 households, have been impacted, with over 88,670 homes either partially or completely destroyed.
The urgent needs identified include shelter, non-food items (NFIs), water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH) kits, and food, as thousands struggle amidst pre-existing vulnerabilities exacerbated by ongoing conflicts and food insecurity. Many districts in Cabo Delgado have been grappling with conflict since 2017, resulting in multiple displacements of families. The start of the rainy season may bring additional flooding, amplifying the urgency for a timely and effective response to aid these affected communities.
In collaboration with the INGD, OCHA, and other inter-agency efforts, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is spearheading an appeal to mobilize USD 12,159,000 over the next six months. This financial assistance aims to support 240,000 affected individuals across the cyclone-impacted provinces. The response plan is being meticulously coordinated with relevant sectors and is part of the recently published interagency Flash Appeal for Tropical Cyclone Chido. Furthermore, IOM is actively participating in the ongoing Multi-cluster/Sector Initial Rapid Assessment to gauge immediate needs.
The context surrounding Tropical Cyclone Chido involves a combination of immediate disaster response due to the cyclone’s impact and underlying vulnerabilities arising from persistent conflict and food insecurity in northern Mozambique. Since 2017, Cabo Delgado has been afflicted by conflict, displacing many individuals and destabilizing communities. This compounded with the acute food insecurity reported in several areas necessitates urgent action and coordinated assistance to mitigate the effects of Cyclone Chido, which has further intensified the existent hardships faced by the local population.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Chido has resulted in extensive destruction across northern Mozambique, affecting hundreds of thousands and creating a critical need for humanitarian assistance. The collaboration among IOM, INGD, and OCHA underscores a commitment to provide essential support to the affected populations, addressing immediate needs while considering long-term recovery efforts. The mobilization of significant financial resources will be essential as the region enters a challenging rainy season, with the potential for additional flooding and displacement.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
