Frelimo urges the Mozambican government to enhance aid for victims of Tropical Cyclone Jude, which has caused six deaths and affected thousands. The cyclone significantly impacts educational institutions and is part of a broader trend of climate-related disasters facing Mozambique.
The Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) has appealed to the government to enhance support for individuals affected by Tropical Cyclone Jude, which struck Mozambique on Monday, claiming six lives. Frelimo spokesperson Ludmila Maguni emphasized the need for increased assistance and the implementation of security measures to protect affected populations, as discussed in a recent Political Commission session.
Reports from the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD) indicate that Cyclone Jude has injured 20 individuals and impacted 9,525 people across the provinces of Nampula, Niassa, and Zambézia. Additionally, the cyclone affected 17,401 students, 264 teachers, 59 schools, and 181 classrooms in those regions. The cyclone entered Mozambique with sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour, producing gusts up to 195 kilometers per hour, according to Manuel Francisco, a meteorologist at the National Institute of Meteorology.
After making landfall, Cyclone Jude deteriorated to a severe tropical storm and was expected to fluctuate between moderate and severe storm conditions in the following days. Coinciding with Mozambique’s rainy season, which persists from October to April, this cyclone follows previous storms, Chido and Dikeledi, that adversely affected the north of the country between December and January, impacting approximately 736,000 residents.
Over the last four years, extreme weather phenomena, such as cyclones and storms, have resulted in at least 1,016 fatalities in Mozambique and have impacted around 4.9 million people, as outlined by the National Institute of Statistics (INE). Mozambique is confronted with the devastating effects of climate change, experiencing recurring floods and cyclones during the rainy season amidst prolonged drought periods.
In summary, Frelimo has called upon the Mozambican government to provide greater support to victims of Cyclone Jude, which has already caused fatalities and significant hardship in multiple provinces. The cyclone has compounded existing challenges of climate change faced by the region, reflecting the urgent need for comprehensive disaster management and assistance strategies.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
