Tropical cyclone Chido has heavily impacted Mozambique and surrounding nations, displacing thousands and causing widespread destruction. The Red Cross launched an Emergency Appeal to assist affected areas and strengthen community preparedness against future storms. Assessments reveal severe humanitarian needs, prompting urgent assistance efforts across the region.
The seasonal onset of tropical cyclones in the South-West Indian Ocean was marked by cyclone Chido, which impacted Mozambique on 15 December 2024, resulting in significant destruction across several nations. Cyclone Chido unleashed heavy rains and fierce winds, especially affecting Madagascar, Comoros, Mozambique, Mayotte, and Malawi. The cyclone has led to numerous fatalities, extensive damage to homes and infrastructures, and mass displacements of communities.
Naemi Heita, the Head of the IFRC Country Cluster Delegation for Mozambique and Angola, indicated that ongoing assessments reveal critical needs including shelter, food, potable water, and health services for affected populations. The situation continues to evolve as emergency teams gain access to areas previously isolated by severe flooding and destruction. Initial estimates indicate that nearly 622,000 individuals in Mozambique have experienced adverse effects from the cyclone, while over 130,000 shelters have been compromised.
In neighboring countries, the turmoil also resonates; in Comoros, over 64,000 individuals experienced disruption to their lives, with substantial damage to homes, schools, and agricultural lands. Malawi reported over 45,000 people affected, and Mayotte detailed that 70% of its population endured impacts, with approximately 35,000 homes lost.
In response to these calamities, Red Cross teams have been deployed to provide rescue efforts and facilitate community support across the affected regions. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has initiated an Emergency Appeal aimed at raising 10 million Swiss francs to assist 100,000 individuals impacted by cyclone Chido in Mozambique, Madagascar, Comoros, and Malawi. This appeal encompasses comprehensive assistance such as cash distributions, shelter, healthcare, and enhancements to livelihoods.
Key activities include delivering essential supplies to emergency shelters, conducting cash aid distributions, providing crucial water and sanitation, and implementing essential protective strategies. Furthermore, this initiative aims not only at immediate relief but also focuses on enhancing community resilience against potential future storms through improved early warning systems, pre-positioned emergency supplies, and disaster preparedness training for local volunteers.
The article outlines the destructive impact of tropical cyclone Chido that made landfall in Mozambique, indicating the onset of the cyclone season in the South-West Indian Ocean. It details the extensive damage across multiple nations including Mozambique, Comoros, Malawi, and Mayotte, highlighting critical humanitarian needs and the response efforts by the Red Cross. These ongoing assessments are essential for understanding the full scale of the disaster and ensuring timely aid is provided to the most affected populations.
In summary, cyclone Chido has wrought significant devastation across the South-West Indian Ocean region, particularly in Mozambique and its neighboring nations. The Red Cross and IFRC are actively responding to the humanitarian crisis with emergency appeals aimed at supporting hundreds of thousands of affected individuals. These efforts not only focus on immediate aid but also on bolstering community preparedness for future cyclone threats, illustrating the importance of robust disaster response frameworks in vulnerable regions.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
