Cyclone Chido impacted northern Mozambique on December 15, 2024, affecting 380,000 individuals. The cyclone caused extensive damage, with urgent needs for shelter, food, and hygiene supplies. The IOM aims to raise USD 12,159,000 to assist 240,000 people as part of a coordinated response to support recovery efforts in the affected provinces.
Tropical Cyclone Chido struck northern Mozambique on December 15, 2024, severely affecting the provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa. The cyclone unleashed torrential rains of 250 mm within a single day and winds gusting up to 260 km/h. An estimated 380,000 people, or 76,100 households, have been impacted, with over 88,670 homes destroyed or partially damaged. Immediate needs include shelter, non-food items (NFIs), water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) kits, and food, with a critical situation exacerbated by ongoing conflict and acute food insecurity, further complicating recovery efforts.
The rainy season has commenced, raising concerns about potential flooding, lasting until April 2025. Rapid assistance is essential to support the affected households and mitigate further decline in their circumstances. In coordination with the National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and other agencies, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is leading efforts to respond to the immediate needs of those impacted. IOM aims to raise USD 12,159,000 over the subsequent six months to aid 240,000 individuals in the afflicted provinces, as part of a comprehensive inter-agency Flash Appeal for Cyclone Chido. Current assessments are underway to inform more targeted responses.
Cyclone Chido has compounded the existing vulnerabilities in northern Mozambique, particularly in Cabo Delgado, which has faced ongoing conflict since 2017. The cyclone’s impact has heightened the challenges already confronting the region, including significant displacement due to sporadic violence and severe food insecurity, with several areas experiencing crises rated at IPC level 4. The onset of the rainy season amplifies the risk of flooding and elevates the urgency for a coordinated humanitarian response to ensure the survival and recovery of affected populations. The IOM, in collaboration with various agencies, is monitoring the situation and preparing to deliver essential support to mitigate the effects of the cyclone and restore normalcy in these communities. The flash appeal is part of a larger effort to mobilize vital resources necessary for effective relief operations and sustainability.
In summary, the aftermath of Cyclone Chido has left hundreds of thousands in northern Mozambique in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. The combined effects of natural disaster and pre-existing socio-economic vulnerabilities necessitate immediate and coordinated efforts to address the pressing needs for shelter, food, water, and sanitation. The IOM’s mobilization of funding is critical to enable comprehensive support for the affected populations, marking a decisive step towards recovery and resilience in the region.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
