Tropical Cyclone Chido significantly impacted northern Mozambique, affecting about 90,000 children and destroying over 35,000 homes. The cyclone exacerbated existing challenges due to prolonged conflict, leaving 174,000 people in need of assistance. UN agencies are mobilizing relief efforts amidst logistical hurdles, as the region grapples with heightened health risks and humanitarian crises.
Tropical Cyclone Chido struck northern Mozambique, specifically Cabo Delgado province, causing extensive damage over the weekend. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that approximately 90,000 children have been affected by the cyclone, which resulted in the destruction or damage of over 35,000 homes and displaced numerous families. The storm adversely impacted at least 174,000 people, with continuing assessments indicating that the overall toll may rise.
The cyclone also demolished approximately 186,000 classrooms and impacted 20 health facilities after hitting near the city of Pemba. Structural damages occurred as roofs were blown away, and essential services like electricity and communication were disrupted. Mary Louise Eagleton, UNICEF Representative in Mozambique, remarked on the pre-existing life-threatening situations for children, citing ongoing conflicts, droughts, and disease outbreaks. UNICEF and various partners are mobilizing emergency responses amidst the overwhelming challenges facing the affected population.
Cabo Delgado has faced seven years of conflict, resulting in over 1.3 million internally displaced individuals, with a significant portion being women and children. Cyclone Chido has worsened their plight, erasing hard-earned progress towards recovery, according to UN reports. Additionally, the cyclone impacted Nampula and Niassa provinces, affecting over 25,000 families by cutting off their electricity and damaging water facilities. The prevailing cholera outbreak heightens concerns over health risks amidst the cyclone’s devastation.
The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, promptly delivered emergency relief supplies, assisting over 2,600 affected individuals in Pemba within the first two days after the cyclone’s landfall. Preliminary assessments highlighted that around 190,000 people necessitate immediate humanitarian assistance, with reports of nearly 10,000 homes destroyed and 33 schools affected. UN Secretary-General António Guterres assured that UN teams are on standby to provide essential aid in the region, although logistical challenges limit the current response capacities.
Additionally, Cyclone Chido inflicted significant damage upon Mayotte, a French overseas territory, leading to fatalities and risk escalation among vulnerable communities, including asylum-seekers. It also brought destructive winds and rain to southern Malawi, resulting in further infrastructure damage and necessitating ongoing coordination with local partners to monitor the situation.
Tropical Cyclone Chido has inflicted severe damage on communities in northern Mozambique, particularly impacting children amid existing vulnerabilities. Mozambique is recognized among the most affected nations due to climate change, facing multiple crises including conflict and health emergencies. The cyclone’s passage resulted in extensive infrastructural damage and heightened humanitarian needs in a region that has already been grappling with socio-economic challenges. Continued international response efforts, including those led by UNICEF and UNHCR, aim to mitigate the cyclone’s impact and provide essential support to the affected population.
In conclusion, Cyclone Chido has had a devastating effect on northern Mozambique, especially on children and vulnerable communities. With thousands displaced and critical infrastructure destroyed, the humanitarian crisis is expected to worsen. Ongoing assessments will reveal the full extent of the damage, while international aid organizations mobilize support to address urgent needs. The situation underscores the importance of resilient responses to face the dual challenges of climate change and regional instability.
Original Source: news.un.org
