In brief
The death toll following the devastating impact of Cyclone Chido in Mozambique has surged to 75, nearly double earlier estimates, as rescue teams reach isolated areas cut off by the storm. The cyclone made landfall earlier this week in Cabo Delgado, a province already struggling with a protracted insurgent conflict led by a group associated with the Islamic State. At least 69 fatalities have been reported in the province alone, with around 740 individuals injured, according to the Mozambique National Institute for Natural Disasters. Inaccessibility due to severe damage obstructed rescue efforts, further delaying reports from rural regions. “What you see is utter destruction,” stated Isadora Zoni from the United Nations’ refugee agency after her visit to Mecufi, where the cyclone left most structures obliterated.
Historically affected by storms from the southern Indian Ocean, Mozambique is ranked among the world’s poorest countries, facing increasing challenges due to climate change. Cyclone Chido, with wind speeds hitting 115 miles per hour, resulted in the collapse of mud and wooden homes. Critical infrastructure also suffered; the maternity health clinic was severely damaged, and schools transformed into ruins. As resources dwindle, approximately 10,000 individuals in Chiure district who were already displaced by conflict now struggle to find shelter and safety once more. The storm's devastation has highlighted the vulnerability of communities already impacted by violence and climate-induced disasters. The cyclone's journey did not end in Mozambique; it also struck Mayotte, where at least 31 fatalities have been reported, and further dissipated over landlocked Zimbabwe. The United Nations Refugee Agency has warned that Cyclone Chido may herald a tumultuous rainy season, historically linked with cyclones and severe flooding in the region. Following the destructive legacy of Tropical Cyclone Freddy and Cyclone Gombe in previous years, the rising number of displaced individuals underscores the urgent need for resilient infrastructure and humanitarian support in Mozambique.
