Cyclone Chido struck Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, on December 15, 2024, affecting approximately 687,630 individuals and causing substantial damage to homes, schools, and health facilities. The cyclone exacerbated existing vulnerabilities in the region, emphasizing the urgent need for coordinated humanitarian response efforts to address both immediate relief and long-term recovery.
Cyclone Chido, a potent tropical cyclone, made landfall in Cabo Delgado Province, Mozambique, on December 15, 2024, causing catastrophic damage. Previously impacting areas across Mauritius, Madagascar, and Mayotte, Chido was classified as a Category 4-equivalent storm with winds reaching 250 kilometers per hour and rainfall totaling up to 250 mm per hour. The cyclone’s destruction affected numerous districts, including Chiúre, Mecufi, and Pemba, leading to the devastation of homes, schools, healthcare facilities, and other vital infrastructure.
The National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD) reported that approximately 687,630 individuals were affected, resulting in over 120 fatalities and 868 injuries. Specifically, 509,800 people from Cabo Delgado alone have suffered from this disaster, which represents approximately 74.13% of all individuals impacted. Current reports indicate significant infrastructure damage, with 118,605 houses, 52 health units, and around 250 schools reportedly compromised. Given the ongoing reporting from humanitarian agencies, these figures are likely to evolve as information becomes more comprehensive.
Chido’s impact compounds existing vulnerabilities in the region, including ongoing conflict, political instability, and a cholera outbreak. Many residents were already struggling with economic hardships and inadequate access to essential services prior to the cyclone’s arrival. The destruction has intensified humanitarian needs, highlighting the urgency for a well-coordinated response that addresses both immediate and long-term recovery. Restoring infrastructure and ensuring stability for those affected will be crucial in the recovery efforts moving forward.
The context of Cyclone Chido is critical for understanding the tremendous challenge faced by the Cabo Delgado region of Mozambique. As a powerful tropical cyclone, Chido struck after damaging earlier territories, underscoring the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters. The combination of extreme weather and pre-existing socio-economic issues, including conflict and a cholera outbreak, creates a complex humanitarian crisis. With humanitarian services already strained prior to the cyclone, the scope of recovery efforts must encompass both immediate disaster relief and long-term infrastructure rebuilding.
In summary, Cyclone Chido has inflicted severe damage in Cabo Delgado Province, Mozambique, displacing over 687,630 individuals and leading to significant casualties. The challenges posed by the cyclone, combined with existing vulnerabilities such as conflict and public health crises, necessitate a swift and coordinated response. Future recovery efforts must address both the urgent humanitarian needs and the long-term rebuilding requirements to restore stability in the affected areas.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
