Cyclone Chido Devastates Mozambique: Urgent Humanitarian Response Required

Cyclone Chido made landfall in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado on December 15, 2023, as a category 4 cyclone, causing destructive winds and heavy rainfall. The storm led to significant infrastructure damage in various provinces, prompting humanitarian assistance, particularly from UNICEF. Areas in southern Malawi are anticipated to be affected next, with the cyclone’s remnants projected to dissipate near Zimbabwe shortly after.

Tropical Cyclone Chido struck the coast of Mozambique early on Sunday, December 15, making landfall near Pemba as a category 4 storm, inflicting catastrophic damage with wind speeds of up to 260 km/h. The cyclone primarily impacted the provinces of Cabo Delgado and Nampula, resulting in heavy rainfall exceeding 250 mm within 24 hours, posing significant flooding risks. Reports from the region indicate extensive infrastructure damage, although full assessments are ongoing.

Authorities, including the Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre of the Southern African Development Community, cautioned that the powerful winds could entail severe destruction of buildings and vital infrastructure. Additionally, adjacent provinces such as Niassa, Tete, and Zambezia were also under threat later in the day, urging residents to stay vigilant regarding weather updates.

UNICEF is actively engaging in post-cyclone assessments, with a focus on meeting the needs of affected families and children in Cabo Delgado. Mary-Louise Eagleton, UNICEF Mozambique Representative, emphasized the urgent delivery of essential supplies such as medicines and water purification kits to ensure the health and safety of the impacted communities. Reports indicate that numerous homes and health facilities were either heavily damaged or completely destroyed, necessitating immediate and continued support.

The cyclone is predicted to impact southern Malawi, bringing additional heavy rainfall and wind conditions from December 15-16, before dissipating near Zimbabwe by December 17. Prior to making landfall in Mozambique, Cyclone Chido passed the southern Comoros islands, leading to some displacement and infrastructure damage in Anjouan, while crop loss was reported on Moheli.

Cyclone Chido is a severe weather phenomenon that significantly affected Mozambique, particularly the Cabo Delgado province. Understanding the dynamics of tropical cyclones and their implications for vulnerable regions is crucial. Cyclones can bring about extensive destruction, endangering lives, displacing communities, and ruining vital infrastructure. This cyclone exemplifies the increasing frequency and severity of such weather events due to changing climatic conditions, further necessitating swift humanitarian responses to mitigate the impacts on affected populations.

In summary, Cyclone Chido has brought unprecedented destruction to northern Mozambique, with various provinces facing severe weather impacts and infrastructure damage. The ongoing efforts from organizations such as UNICEF to support the affected communities highlight the urgency required in humanitarian aid. Proper monitoring and support systems are essential to address the needs of those impacted by such natural disasters and to assist in their recovery.

Original Source: allafrica.com