Tropical Cyclone Jude: Humanitarian Impact and Response in Mozambique

Tropical Cyclone Jude made landfall in Mozambique on 10 March 2025, affecting over 375,000 individuals and damaging over 81,000 homes. Severe flooding and infrastructure damage in Nampula and Zambezia provinces have worsened existing vulnerabilities. Health risks, including cholera, are rising amid displacement concerns. Urgent humanitarian needs include food, water, sanitation, and healthcare services for affected populations.

On 10 March 2025, Tropical Cyclone Jude struck Mozambique’s Nampula province, unleashing heavy rains and powerful winds. By 13 March, the National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD) reported that approximately 375,214 individuals had been affected, with 81,149 homes either damaged or completely destroyed. Severe flooding has been observed, particularly in the Nampula and Zambezia provinces, further compounding the vulnerabilities of communities that are already facing food insecurity, displacement, and limited access to essential services. This cyclone season is particularly dire, as Nampula and Zambezia had previously suffered from the impacts of Tropical Cyclones Chido in December 2024 and Dikeledi in January 2025, which together impacted around 684,000 people.

As Cyclone Jude progressed inland, it diminished into a severe storm affecting Manica, Niassa, Sofala, and Tete regions, compounding the humanitarian crisis resulting from a series of cyclonic events. Displacement concerns are intensifying, raising the alarm over health risks. According to recent data, as of 14 March 2025, there have been 56 reported cases of cholera in the heavily impacted Nampula province. While no new cholera cases have been reported in the past day, there remain significant concerns regarding potential outbreaks stemming from contaminated water sources and overcrowded temporary housing facilities.

Preliminary analysis from the Initial Rapid Assessment (IRA) conducted by the International Organization for Migration’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), in collaboration with the CCCM Cluster and INGD, has revealed the existence of over 61 temporary accommodation sites housing displaced families. These sites are crucial for sheltering evacuated households while authorities and humanitarian organizations work tirelessly to address urgent needs, including food assistance, safe water supply, sanitation services, healthcare, and protection initiatives.

Tropical Cyclone Jude has significantly impacted Mozambique, affecting over 375,000 people with substantial property damage and infrastructure destruction. The humanitarian situation is compounded by rising health risks, particularly cholera, due to contaminated water and overcrowded shelters. With ongoing assessments, authorities and humanitarian agencies are focusing on urgent needs and the protection of displaced populations in the aftermath of a particularly severe cyclone season.

Original Source: reliefweb.int