The IOM is distributing 2,800 emergency kits to victims of Tropical Cyclone Jude in Mozambique, following severe damages and loss of life across multiple provinces. The cyclone has left at least 14 dead and affected over 100,000 individuals. Urgent assistance is needed as the country faces the challenges of the rainy season and increasing natural disasters linked to climate change.
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) will provide 2,800 emergency kits to individuals impacted by Tropical Cyclone Jude in the Zambézia and Nampula provinces. The UN agency made this announcement on Friday, highlighting their ongoing efforts to assess needs and deliver critical assistance despite significant challenges faced on the ground.
Tropical Cyclone Jude made landfall in Mozambique on Monday, primarily affecting the Mossuril district in Nampula. The cyclone has resulted in a catastrophic toll, with at least 14 fatalities, 60 injuries, and an estimated 100,410 individuals affected in various provinces, including Tete, Manica, Nampula, Niassa, and Cabo Delgado.
The emergency kits will contain essential items such as mats, mosquito nets, blankets, and tarpaulins, with IOM emphasizing that urgent support is crucial in the regions impacted by the cyclone. The government spokesperson, Inocêncio Impissa, reported that 30 health centers have been destroyed due to the calamity and that 19,961 families have been affected.
The destruction extends to 20,244 homes, as well as numerous schools, classrooms, pupils, and teachers, alongside significant agricultural setbacks. Mozambique is currently experiencing its rainy season from October to April, during which time it has previously faced severe cyclones, including Chido and Dikeledi, which have severely impacted the northern provinces.
The cyclones between December and January severely damaged public and private infrastructure, affecting around 736,000 individuals in the process. Between 2019 and 2023, extreme weather events have claimed 1,016 lives in Mozambique and affected nearly 4.9 million citizens, as reported by the National Statistics Institute (INE). Mozambique’s vulnerability to climate change manifests in recurring floods and cyclones, compounded by prolonged drought periods.
The distribution of emergency kits by the IOM is a critical response to the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Jude, which has tragically resulted in loss of life and extensive damage across several provinces. The ongoing rainy season poses further challenges, highlighting Mozambique’s vulnerability to natural disasters exacerbated by climate change. Continued support and assistance will be necessary to aid recovery efforts and address the needs of the affected communities.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
