CCCM Mozambique Situation Report: Impact of Tropical Cyclone Jude

Tropical Cyclone Jude, which struck Mozambique on March 10, 2025, has caused severe damage and increased humanitarian needs. Response capabilities are strained from prior cyclones, prompting immediate action from the CCCM Cluster. Temporary accommodation centers have been established, and urgent improvements in living conditions and education support are critical for recovery efforts.

According to the National Institute for Disaster and Risk Reduction Management, a low-pressure system in the Indian Ocean developed into the tropical cyclone “JUDE,” which impacted Mozambique on March 10, 2025, bringing winds of 195 km/h and over 250mm of rainfall. This resulted in infrastructure damage, loss of life, injuries, and increased humanitarian needs across urban and rural areas in Cabo Delgado and Zambézia.

Humanitarian response capacities in northern Mozambique have become severely strained following the prior impacts of Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi. The Technical Council for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management activated anticipatory actions on March 8, leading to a CCCM response starting on March 9 in Angoche and Mogincual. CCCM’s readiness efforts included the pre-positioning of tools and engaging with local disaster risk reduction committees.

Following the cyclone’s impact, local authorities established accommodation centers in several districts of Nampula and Zambézia provinces, deploying site management teams for initial needs assessments and coordination. CCCM and DTM teams identified 59 temporary accommodation facilities in nine Nampula districts and one in Zambézia; however, most sites have yet to be officially recognized as accommodation centers, necessitating improved collaboration for effective assistance.

Many affected families are resorting to temporary accommodations such as barracks, schools, and places of worship as they attempt to rebuild their homes. The pressing need for food, water, shelter, and health services is further compounded by the challenge of ensuring dignified living conditions in these facilities. Immediate improvements are critical, including the installation of basic services like handwashing stations and toilets to enhance community health and well-being.

The cyclone’s aftermath has obstructed children’s educational access, as schools have been repurposed as shelters. This underlines the importance of coordinated responses to support displaced families and recovery efforts in education. Engaging proactively with education-related needs must be a part of the broader response plans to mitigate the cyclone’s long-term impacts.

The CCCM Cluster is committed to regularly updating the list of temporary accommodation facilities in collaboration with DTM and local authorities. However, as families continue to leave these sites, both planned and unplanned deactivations are likely, often influenced by challenging conditions.

In summary, Cyclone Jude has resulted in significant humanitarian challenges in Mozambique, exacerbating the already strained response capabilities due to previous cyclones. The establishment of temporary accommodation centers and proactive humanitarian efforts remain crucial to address the urgent needs of affected populations. Furthermore, enhancing living conditions and addressing educational disruptions are essential for the long-term recovery of the community.

Original Source: reliefweb.int