IOM Launches Flash Appeal for Cyclone Chido Response in Mozambique
Tropical Cyclone Chido impacted northern Mozambique on December 15, 2024, affecting approximately 380,000 individuals. The cyclone caused massive rainfall and destruction, leaving urgent needs for shelter and food. IOM is coordinating an appeal for USD 12,159,000 to aid 240,000 people over the next six months, working closely with multiple agencies amidst pre-existing vulnerabilities in the region.
Tropical Cyclone Chido made landfall in northern Mozambique on December 15, 2024, severely affecting the provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa. The cyclone produced torrential rainfall of 250 mm in a mere 24 hours while winds reached gusts of 260 km/h. According to the National Institute for Natural Disaster (INGD), nearly 380,000 individuals, representing 76,100 households, were impacted. Extensive damage includes the destruction of over 88,670 homes, leading to an urgent need for shelter, food, water, sanitation, and hygiene kits across the affected regions. The situation is further exacerbated by existing conflicts in Cabo Delgado, which have caused multiple displacements since 2017, alongside acute food insecurity with some areas reporting IPC 4 levels.
The rainy season, which has recently commenced and is expected to persist until April 2025, poses additional risks of flooding in the already affected areas. Immediate response efforts are required to support affected households and mitigate the worsening of conditions. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is actively collaborating with INGD, OCHA, and various inter-agency parties to address the pressing needs of these populations. Through this flash appeal, IOM aims to raise USD 12,159,000 over the coming six months to assist 240,000 individuals in Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa. This appeal is fully coordinated with relevant clusters and is part of the recently published interagency Flash Appeal for Tropical Cyclone Chido, with IOM also involved in the ongoing Multi-cluster/Sector Initial Rapid Assessment.
The impact of Tropical Cyclone Chido is significant, as it has affected key provinces in northern Mozambique, with immediate humanitarian needs arising from both the natural disaster and pre-existing vulnerabilities in the region. The cyclone’s destruction has compounded already challenging conditions due to ongoing conflict and food insecurity, making the response to this disaster particularly urgent. Coordination between agencies such as IOM, INGD, and OCHA is critical in addressing both immediate needs and long-term recovery strategies for the affected population. The call for assistance highlights the necessary funding and resources to aid those hardest hit by the cyclone’s devastation.
In summary, Tropical Cyclone Chido has resulted in widespread destruction across northern Mozambique, necessitating an urgent humanitarian response. The response involves significant collaboration among various agencies to provide essential support to affected communities. With ongoing conflicts and food insecurity complicating recovery efforts, the coordinated appeal for funds highlights the critical need to address immediate and future challenges faced by the affected populations in the region.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
