Impact and Response to Tropical Cyclone Jude in Mozambique

Tropical Cyclone Jude has affected over 100,000 people in Mozambique, causing extensive damage to homes and infrastructure. A cholera outbreak with 56 new cases has been reported in Nampula. Humanitarian efforts are challenged by illegal checkpoints and fuel shortages, impacting aid delivery. Restoration of electricity and transport networks is ongoing, while significant agricultural losses threaten food security.

Tropical Cyclone Jude has transitioned into a moderate tropical storm, moving over the Mozambique Channel towards Madagascar. The cyclone has affected 100,410 individuals in Mozambique, with significant structural damage reported, including 20,241 homes destroyed or damaged. Currently, Nampula province is experiencing a cholera outbreak, with 56 new cases reported on March 14, particularly in Nampula City and Larde district.

The National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD) has noted extensive damages to health infrastructure, with 69 facilities affected and 8 fatalities recorded, largely from building collapses and electrocuted individuals. Humanitarian partners conducting relief missions in Nampula and Ilha de Moçambique face obstacles from unauthorized checkpoints demanding payments for passage, complicating aid delivery to affected communities.

Damages to Nampula’s road infrastructure hinder the transport of essential supplies, resulting in fuel shortages particularly in Cabo Delgado, where humanitarian operations are critically dependent on available fuel. Moreover, UNHAS flights in Cabo Delgado have been disrupted due to lack of fuel at Pemba airport. Assessment teams have begun data collection across affected districts, focusing on road recovery.

The extent of flooding has devastated 13,982 hectares of cropland, impacting food security for about 155,410 people across multiple provinces. Additionally, power outages have left around 272,757 people without electricity, with medium and low voltage lines severely damaged. Fortunately, some areas of Nampula have begun to restore electricity as emergency work continues.

In Angoche district, 1,730 people are affected by the cyclone, with infrastructure losses including 346 houses, 14 classrooms, and disrupted health facilities. The district faces mobility issues due to ruined bridges. Similarly, in Mecuburi, families are displaced by bridge collapses, while Ilha de Moçambique now shelters 400 families following significant flooding and water supply challenges.

Continuous assessment and response measures are vital as the situation evolves, with authorities and humanitarian partners encountering numerous challenges, especially regarding transport and supply chains.

Cyclone Jude has caused severe damages across Mozambique, affecting over 100,000 individuals and overwhelming infrastructure, particularly in Nampula. The cholera outbreak raises public health concerns amid damaged health facilities. Humanitarian efforts are hindered by illegal checkpoints and disrupted transport systems, particularly for fuel and food supplies. The full scope of agricultural loss threatens food security in the region, necessitating concerted response efforts to address ongoing crises.

Original Source: reliefweb.int