Cyclone Jude Strikes Northern Mozambique: A Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds

Cyclone Jude hit Northern Mozambique, marking the third such storm in four months, with winds up to 195 km/h. It caused significant flooding and destruction, particularly in Nampula province, leaving many homeless. UNICEF has noted that children are especially vulnerable and is working to provide emergency assistance.

Cyclone Jude has severely impacted Northern Mozambique, becoming the third storm to strike the region within a span of four months. This powerful cyclone made landfall on Monday morning, unleashing winds recorded at 140 km/h (87 mph) and gusts reaching 195 km/h, as reported by the National Institute of Meteorology (INAM).

The cyclone specifically affected the Mossuril district in Nampula province, resulting in widespread flooding and significant infrastructural damage, rendering many residents homeless. The ferocity of the storm took locals in the city of Nacala by surprise, exacerbating an already precarious situation.

The region is facing persistent instability, heightened by the humanitarian strain caused by two prior cyclones in December and January. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has deemed the current conditions as “very bad,” emphasizing that children in particular are at elevated risk.

Flooding following Cyclone Jude intensifies the threat of waterborne diseases, such as cholera, diarrhoea, and malaria, contributing to health crises in Nampula, which reportedly has the highest number of children among all Mozambican provinces. To mitigate this emergency, UNICEF is collaborating with the government to provide essential emergency aid kits and support to the affected populations.

In summary, Cyclone Jude’s landfall in Northern Mozambique has resulted in catastrophic damage and human suffering, particularly affecting children. The compounded impact of multiple storms over the past few months has stressed the region’s already limited humanitarian resources. Immediate action and assistance, including the distribution of emergency supplies, are critical for alleviating the plight of those who have been displaced and are experiencing health hazards due to flooding.

Original Source: www.tvcnews.tv