Flash Update on Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi’s Impact in Mozambique

Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi made landfall in Mozambique on January 13, 2025, causing significant damage in Nampula Province. Preliminary assessments indicate that 56,729 households have been affected, including many individuals with disabilities. Priority needs include shelter, water, sanitation, and health services, with assessments ongoing to monitor the situation.

On January 13, 2025, Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi struck Mozambique, leading to significant humanitarian challenges in Nampula Province. The cyclone brought destructive winds and heavy rainfall that considerably damaged homes, livelihoods, and essential infrastructure, worsening existing vulnerabilities and impacting community resilience.

Preliminary assessments from the Initial Rapid Assessment (IRA), carried out by the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) in conjunction with Mozambique’s National Institute for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (INGD), estimate that approximately 56,729 households, encompassing 234,104 individuals, have been affected. This includes roughly 37,456 individuals living with various disabilities, such as physical, cognitive, sensory, and psychosocial impairments. As of January 20, data indicates that 31,898 houses suffered partial damage, and 24,101 houses were completely destroyed, totaling 55,999 damaged shelters within the province.

The districts most severely impacted by the cyclone include Ilha de Mozambique (50,349 individuals), Mossuril (44,390), Monapo (44,287), Nacala Porto (25,394), Angoche (23,991), and Mogincual (16,500), which together represent 88 percent of the affected population. Ongoing data collection is expected to provide further insights into the extent of the crisis across the province.

Identified immediate priority needs include shelter and non-food items (NFIs), water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions, along with food and healthcare services. The most crucial NFIs required comprise tarpaulins, mosquito nets, and mattresses. Joint multi-sectoral needs assessments, led by INGD in partnership with humanitarian entities, are actively evaluating the evolving needs and living conditions of the affected communities.

Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi represents a significant natural disaster resulting in widespread destruction in Mozambique, primarily affecting Nampula Province. The cyclone’s high winds and rainfall not only caused physical damage but also heightened pre-existing vulnerabilities in the region. This disaster necessitates comprehensive assessments and urgent humanitarian response efforts to address the immediate needs of the affected populations, particularly individuals with disabilities who are disproportionately impacted by such events.

In conclusion, Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi has resulted in extensive humanitarian needs across Nampula Province, affecting hundreds of thousands of individuals and damaging critical infrastructure. The ongoing assessments highlight the urgent requirement for shelter, non-food items, and health services. As data continues to be collected, the focus remains on effectively addressing the immediate and long-term needs of the impacted communities, especially those with disabilities.

Original Source: reliefweb.int