Response to the Impact of Tropical Cyclone Jude in Mozambique
Tropical Cyclone Jude struck Mozambique on March 10, 2025, causing extensive damage and displacement. Previous cyclones have strained response capacities, prompting CCCM actions for preparedness. Temporary accommodations have been established, but many lack formal recognition, complicating aid efforts. Urgent needs for basic services and education recovery are imperative for the affected populations.
On March 6, 2025, a low-pressure system in the southwestern Indian Ocean intensified into Tropical Cyclone Jude. By March 10, it made landfall in Mossuril, Nampula, unleashing winds of 195 km/h and over 250 mm of rainfall within 24 hours. This resulted in significant infrastructure damage, loss of life, injuries, and displacement of communities, exacerbating humanitarian needs in both urban and rural areas.
The northern region’s humanitarian response is currently overwhelmed, following the impacts of two prior cyclones: Cyclone Chido in December 2024 and Cyclone Dikeledi in January 2025. The Technical Council for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management activated anticipatory measures on March 8, prompting the CCCM response which commenced on March 9, focusing on pre-positioning necessary tools and disseminating preparedness information to communities.
Local authorities have initiated accommodation centers in several districts within Nampula and Zambézia, deploying site management teams for initial assessments and coordination. CCCM and DTM teams have identified 59 temporary accommodations in nine districts of Nampula and one in Zambézia. However, many of these facilities lack formal recognition, necessitating improved collaboration among key stakeholders for effective response.
Many displaced families are resorting to temporary accommodations like barracks, classrooms, churches, and unfinished buildings while they attempt to reconstruct their homes. Their immediate needs extend beyond mere shelter to include food, water, health services, and sanitation, emphasizing the urgency to enhance living conditions in these facilities. Improvements such as handwashing stations and communal toilets are essential for better service access.
The cyclone has severely impacted education, with schools serving as emergency shelters, hindering children’s return to classes. Coordinated efforts are crucial to facilitate the recovery of education for displaced families, integrating educational support into response strategies. The CCCM Cluster is continuously updating lists of accommodation sites, though challenges persist with families leaving these centers due to unsuitable conditions, leading to both planned and unplanned deactivations.
Tropical Cyclone Jude has resulted in significant humanitarian challenges in Mozambique, marked by infrastructure damage and community displacement. The region’s response is burdened by the aftermath of previous cyclones, necessitating immediate action in food security, shelter, and health services. Enhanced collaboration among humanitarian agencies is critical to ensure effective mapping, resource allocation, and recovery efforts, particularly in education, to support affected families and reintegrate them into stable living conditions.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
