Tropical Cyclone Jude: Humanitarian Challenges and Ongoing Assessments in Mozambique

Tropical Cyclone Jude has transitioned into a moderate storm, affecting over 100,000 people in Mozambique. The cyclone has caused extensive damage to infrastructure, leading to 56 new cholera cases and 8 fatalities. Assessment teams are deployed to collect data on the impacts, while illegal checkpoints hinder supply transport. Angoche district faces severe damage, with significant disruptions in education and health services reported.

Overview of Tropical Cyclone Jude’s Impact on Mozambique
As of 14 March 2025, Tropical Cyclone Jude has transitioned into a moderate tropical storm and is currently moving over the Mozambique Channel towards Madagascar. The cyclone has significantly impacted Mozambique, particularly in Nampula, where the latest data from the National Institute of Disaster Management (INGD) reports that 100,410 individuals have been affected, with extensive damage to infrastructure and housing.

Cholera cases have surged in Nampula, with 56 new cases reported on 14 March. Areas with the highest incidence include Nampula City and Larde district, raising concerns over public health. Tragically, the storm has resulted in 8 fatalities, predominantly due to building collapses and drowning, highlighting the immediate need for humanitarian aid and health interventions in affected regions.

Assessment teams from various organizations have been deployed across seven districts in Nampula to gather data on the cyclone’s impact, with reports indicating that over 20,241 houses have been damaged or destroyed. Furthermore, a total of 69 health facilities have been impacted, further straining health resources in the region. The flooding has also affected crop production over an estimated area of 13,982 hectares, compounding the challenges related to food security.

Transportation has faced considerable obstacles due to damage to the road network, impacting fuel and supply deliveries from Nacala port. Illegal checkpoints have been reported, with local youth demanding payments for passage. These road conditions have led to fuel shortages in Cabo Delgado, hampering humanitarian operations and essential case referrals from Pemba provincial hospital to Nampula.

Angoche district has suffered severe infrastructural damage, affecting over 1,730 individuals. Educational facilities have also been disrupted, with 14 classrooms impacted. In Isla de Moçambique, around 400 families are currently sheltered in an accommodation center due to the cyclone’s aftermath, with concerns over access to potable water due to flooding.

In conclusion, Cyclone Jude has had a profound impact on Mozambique, resulting in significant human and infrastructural loss. Continued assessments, humanitarian assistance, and infrastructure repairs are essential to mitigate the cyclone’s adverse effects while addressing growing health and food security concerns.

In summary, the ramifications of Tropical Cyclone Jude are extensive, encompassing a high number of affected individuals and significant infrastructure damage. The surge in cholera cases and challenges to health facilities present severe public health threats. With continued assessment efforts, humanitarian support remains crucial to address the immediate needs of the affected population and restore normalcy in the region promptly.

Original Source: reliefweb.int