Cyclone Jude has raised concerns for children’s health in Mozambique due to flooding and increased risks of waterborne diseases. UNICEF is mobilizing aid swiftly; however, the humanitarian response is strained by previous disasters and ongoing issues. The cyclone’s path will affect northern Mozambique and southern Malawi as it progresses southwest and then southeast.
Cyclone Jude has raised significant concerns regarding the health of children in Mozambique, with increased flooding heightening the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, and malaria, as reported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The cyclone has impacted provinces that are home to the largest concentration of children in the country, intensifying its adverse effects.
In response to the crisis, UNICEF is fast-tracking essential supplies to affected communities while striving to maintain the integrity of emergency shelters. Cyclone Jude struck Mozambique early Monday, producing strong winds of up to 120 kilometers per hour and heavy rainfall, particularly near the urban center of Nacala in Nampula province.
A proactive response was activated through the Mozambique Anticipatory Action (AA) Framework for Cyclones, which enabled rapid funding allocations from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). This financial support was deployed to humanitarian organizations, allowing them to implement preemptive relief strategies three days ahead of the cyclone’s landfall.
Nevertheless, the humanitarian response is currently stretched thin, as efforts to address the ongoing needs following Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi face additional challenges, including a worsening cholera outbreak and increasing food insecurity. Compounded by sociopolitical unrest and ongoing conflicts, sourcing necessary resources remains a daunting task in an already strained environment.
Cyclone Jude is expected to move southwest across northern Mozambique and approach the southern border of Malawi until the early morning of March 12, before shifting direction to travel southeast across central Mozambique.
The impact of Cyclone Jude on Mozambique poses serious health risks for affected populations, particularly children vulnerable to waterborne diseases. Although efforts are underway to deliver aid and maintain emergency shelters, the humanitarian response system faces significant challenges due to resource scarcity and ongoing crises. The situation requires immediate attention and adequate funding to mitigate the consequences of multiple disasters.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
