Response to Tropical Cyclone Jude: Humanitarian Needs and Coordination in Mozambique

Tropical Cyclone Jude struck Mozambique on March 10, 2025, causing severe infrastructure damage and increased humanitarian needs due to displacement. The CCCM response commenced shortly afterward, activating accommodation centers and facilitating needs assessments. Despite efforts, challenges remain in proper categorization and recognition of temporary facilities, and urgent attention is required for the needs of affected families, especially in education and living conditions.

On March 6, 2025, a low-pressure system in the Indian Ocean developed into Tropical Cyclone Jude, which impacted Mozambique’s coast on March 10. The cyclone brought winds reaching 195 km/h and intense rainfall exceeding 250 mm over 24 hours, particularly affecting the provinces of Cabo Delgado and Zambézia. This disaster has led to infrastructure damage, fatalities, injuries, and the displacement of communities, thereby exacerbating existing humanitarian needs.

The humanitarian response in northern Mozambique is currently strained due to the effects of two previous cyclones, Chido in December 2024 and Dikeledi in January 2025. Anticipatory actions for floods and cyclones were activated by the Technical Council for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management on March 8, prompting the CCCM response to commence in Angoche and Mogincual on March 9. Preparatory activities included distributing tools for cleaning and repairs, sharing readiness messages with communities, and collaborating with local disaster risk reduction committees.

Authorities in Nampula and Zambézia have activated accommodation centers for those affected, deploying site management teams for assessments and coordination. Initial evaluations and interviews by CCCM and DTM teams identified 59 temporary accommodation facilities across various districts in Nampula and one in Zambézia. Despite their identification, many of these sites lack formal recognition as official accommodation centers, complicating effective response efforts.

Families impacted by the cyclone are often forced to seek shelter in temporary facilities, including barracks, schools, churches, and neighbors’ homes as they attempt to recover. The immediate needs extend beyond food, water, and health services to include sanitation, hygiene, education, and nutrition. Addressing these needs is crucial to improving the living conditions for those in temporary accommodations and ensuring dignified living standards.

Moreover, the cyclone has compromised educational facilities, delaying children’s access to schooling. To address the long-term effects of the cyclone, a coordinated approach is required to support displaced families and facilitate educational recovery. Partners are encouraged to engage actively and include education needs in their response strategies. Lastly, the CCCM Cluster is tasked with regularly updating the list of temporary accommodation facilities while managing the ongoing transitions as families relocate from these sites under challenging circumstances.

The Tropical Cyclone Jude has inflicted significant damage on Mozambique, necessitating a multifaceted humanitarian response. The CCCM Cluster is crucial in coordinating these efforts, particularly in establishing temporary accommodation centers and addressing the urgent needs of displaced populations. Ongoing coordination among various stakeholders is essential to ensure effective support for affected communities, focusing particularly on shelter, sanitation, and educational recovery.

Original Source: reliefweb.int