Cyclone Jude has affected Mozambique, particularly threatening children’s health with increased risks of waterborne diseases. UNICEF is mobilizing supplies and resources while contending with previous emergencies and funding shortages. The cyclone is forecast to continue moving across northern Mozambique and near Malawi until March 12.
The incursion of Cyclone Jude into Mozambique has raised serious concerns, particularly regarding children’s health. Flooding increases the risk of severe waterborne diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, and malaria, as reported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The cyclone has struck provinces housing the largest population of children, thereby heightening the cyclone’s consequences dramatically.
In response to the disaster, UNICEF is accelerating the provision of essential supplies to affected communities while working to maintain the integrity of emergency shelters. Cyclone Jude made landfall in Mozambique early Monday, bringing with it winds of up to 120 kilometers per hour, predominantly impacting areas near Nacala in Nampula province with destructive winds and heavy rainfall.
A proactive intervention was enacted through the Mozambique Anticipatory Action (AA) Framework for Cyclones, which facilitated the rapid disbursement of funds from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). This preemptive relief effort allowed humanitarian organizations to provide assistance a full three days prior to the cyclone’s landfall.
Nevertheless, the humanitarian response is experiencing significant strain, as it is already addressing the aftermath of two earlier cyclones—Cyclone Chido in December 2024 and Cyclone Dikeledi in January 2025—alongside escalating issues such as a choleral outbreak, food insecurity, political instability, and ongoing conflicts. Due to a reduction in global humanitarian funding, acquiring necessary resources is increasingly challenging in this turbulent environment.
Cyclone Jude is expected to move southwest across northern Mozambique and circulate near southern Malawi’s border until early morning on March 12, after which it will change course, heading southeast through central Mozambique.
In conclusion, Cyclone Jude poses significant health risks in Mozambique, particularly regarding children’s vulnerability to waterborne diseases. UNICEF’s ongoing relief efforts are critical as they face challenges from previous emergencies and limited resources. As Cyclone Jude continues its path, further vigilance and intervention will be essential to mitigate its impacts on the affected populations.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
