Tropical Cyclone Chido struck Mozambique on December 15, affecting over 380,000 people. The cyclone caused significant damage, including destruction of homes, health facilities, and schools. WFP provided emergency food assistance promptly, reaching 500 families within 24 hours, with ongoing support to additional affected populations through various humanitarian partnerships. The full extent of damage is still unfolding as assessments are ongoing.
On December 15, 2024, Tropical Cyclone Chido made landfall in the Mecufi district of Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, causing widespread devastation. The cyclone brought wind speeds reaching up to 180 km/h, with gusts surpassing 220 km/h, resulting in over 380,000 individuals affected across the provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa. Preliminary assessments reveal significant infrastructure damage, including approximately 61,500 homes destroyed, 52 healthcare facilities affected, and 250 schools damaged, resulting in 1,126 classrooms being impacted. The Ministry of Health has reported 76 fatalities and 768 injuries, with these numbers expected to rise as evaluations continue.
In response, the World Food Programme (WFP) rapidly mobilized emergency food assistance, reaching 500 families in Pemba within 24 hours after the cyclone’s passage. Humanitarian food distributions commenced on December 17, facilitated through the Joint Response Programme, which includes the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNICEF, concluding on December 20. To date, WFP and its partners have assisted 23,000 individuals across various affected locations such as Pemba, Mecufi, Metuge, and Chiure. Additionally, temporary centers in Mogincual, Nampula, received support, with food distributed to 70 individuals under the activation of INGD’s Anticipatory Action.
Despite challenges such as blocked roads restricting access to remote areas, assessment missions confirm extensive damage, particularly in Mecufi. While Pemba airport was temporarily closed following the cyclone, operations resumed on December 16. The WFP office in Pemba sustained moderate damage but remains operational, as major roads are clear for traffic. However, the restoration of electrical and telecommunications infrastructure is anticipated to take several days as efforts continue to respond to the urgent needs of affected populations.
Mozambique is prone to severe weather events, and Tropical Cyclone Chido is a recent example of the destructive impact natural disasters can have on vulnerable populations. The regions of Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa were particularly hit hard, highlighting the critical need for timely humanitarian assistance and infrastructure resilience. Organizations like the World Food Programme (WFP) play a crucial role in disaster response, working alongside local authorities and international partners to provide food and aid to those in need. Continuous assessments are vital to fully understand the scope of the damage and the needs of the affected communities.
The landfall of Tropical Cyclone Chido has resulted in significant devastation across multiple provinces in Mozambique. As assessments reveal the extent of the destruction, with substantial loss of life and widespread infrastructure damage, humanitarian organizations, led by WFP, have mobilized swiftly to provide aid. The continuing need for food assistance and healthcare services underscores the importance of international cooperation and emergency preparedness in mitigating the impacts of such disasters in vulnerable regions.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
