Tropical Storm Jude has affected nearly 340,000 people, resulting in significant displacement and destruction in Madagascar, Malawi, and Mozambique. The storm caused severe infrastructural damage, with first responses being initiated through humanitarian partnerships. Concerns about public health, particularly cholera outbreaks, have arisen in the storm’s aftermath.
Tropical Storm Jude has significantly impacted Southern Africa, affecting approximately 340,000 individuals and causing widespread displacement across Madagascar, Malawi, and Mozambique. Between 6 and 16 March, the storm caused severe damage to essential infrastructure, agricultural crops, and access to vital services. The humanitarian community has collaborated with governments to facilitate search and rescue operations and activate emergency response initiatives to assist those affected.
Madagascar experienced substantial devastation, particularly in the Atsimo Andrefana Region, where at least 15,000 individuals were affected following the storm’s second landfall on 15 March. The storm’s impact led to one fatality and the displacement of over 10,000 individuals residing in temporary sites. The storm was unprecedented in its strength, leading to flooding and damage to homes, schools, and critical services, as multiple severe weather events compounded accessibility challenges in the Grand Sud region.
Malawi reported that nearly 20,650 individuals suffered effects from Tropical Storm Jude, with three individuals reported missing. The cyclone predominantly impacted the Southern Region, affecting numerous councils and resulting in substantial rainfall. This heavy precipitation has further confused the humanitarian effort as communities sought to stabilize from the cyclone’s aftermath.
Mozambique faced substantial challenges as Tropical Storm Jude made landfall on 10 March, affecting 302,000 people and leading to at least 16 fatalities. Major damage included the destruction of housing, health units, schools, and essential services. The cholera outbreak declared earlier in the month poses an increased risk amid these adverse conditions, significantly undermining public health in the region.
Humanitarian agencies support government-led response efforts, necessitating coordination among partners in Madagascar, Malawi, and Mozambique. In Madagascar, the provision of food, water, and health services has commenced, while anticipatory action and emergency response measures were initiated in Malawi and Mozambique to address humanitarian needs swiftly. These collaborative efforts are critical in mitigating the ongoing challenges posed by the storm and ensuring affected communities receive necessary aid during this crisis.
The impact of Tropical Storm Jude has inflicted widespread damage across Southern Africa, particularly in Madagascar, Malawi, and Mozambique. With hundreds of thousands affected and millions displaced, it is imperative that humanitarian responses continue to address urgent needs while mitigating additional risks such as disease outbreaks. Coordination among disaster response organizations and governmental agencies is crucial to facilitate effective assistance and recovery efforts in the short and long term.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
