Mozambique is facing severe humanitarian challenges due to consecutive Cyclones Chido, Dikeledi, and Jude, which caused extensive damage affecting over 1 million people. Key infrastructures, including homes, schools, and health facilities, have been badly impacted. The situation is exacerbated by a cholera outbreak triggered by the destruction of water facilities and widespread flooding.
Communities in Mozambique are currently reeling from the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Chido, which made landfall on 15 December, bringing with it torrential rain exceeding 250 mm and winds reaching 120 km/h. The cyclone progressed into Malawi and subsequently dissipated in Zimbabwe on 17 December. As of 24 December 2024, the National Institute for Natural Disasters (INGD) reported that approximately 453,971 people have been affected, with the figures likely to increase as assessments continue.
The humanitarian response is urgent as the number of impacted individuals has surpassed the 350,000 mark necessary to initiate a Flash Appeal. The destruction has been extensive, with over 70,000 houses, 250 schools, 52 health centres, and 338 electricity poles either partially or completely destroyed. Areas particularly hard-hit include Cabo Delgado Province, specifically districts such as Mecufi, Metuge, and Chiure, where approximately 272,000 individuals are estimated to have been affected.
Following Cyclone Chido, Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi struck on 13 January, with severe weather recorded across the Nampula province. Initial assessments indicated that 283,334 individuals were affected, including a significant number of children and persons with disabilities. Damage reports highlighted 80,865 houses impacted, along with health facilities, schools, and agricultural areas. The most severely affected districts were Mossuril and Ilha de Mozambique.
Tropical Cyclone Jude followed on 10 March 2025, impacting several provinces with strong winds and substantial rainfall. The extensive destruction left key road networks inoperable and power and telecommunications disrupted. Rapid humanitarian efforts were mobilized under the Mozambique Anticipatory Action Framework, supported by funding from the Central Emergency Response Fund. However, the cyclone exacerbated an already dire cholera outbreak, declared earlier in Larde given the extensive damage to water and sanitation facilities.
As of 19 March, the total number of those affected by Cyclone Jude reached 390,000, with numerous public infrastructures also adversely impacted. Affected areas included Cabo Delgado, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, and Zambezia, and the Multi Sectoral Needs Assessments conducted on 18 March underscored the scale of the crisis across the seven impacted districts.
The consecutive Tropical Cyclones—Chido, Dikeledi, and Jude—have inflicted unprecedented damage across Mozambique, affecting hundreds of thousands of individuals. Immediate humanitarian response is critical, as ongoing assessments continue to reveal rising numbers of impacted persons and extensive damage to infrastructure. The public health implications, particularly the cholera outbreak, are significant due to the destruction of water and sanitation facilities, emphasizing the urgent need for coordinated relief efforts.
Original Source: www.unocha.org
