Frelimo Urges Increased Assistance for Victims of Cyclone Jude in Mozambique

Frelimo has urged the Mozambican government to increase assistance for victims of Cyclone Jude, which has caused fatalities, injuries, and significant socio-economic disruption. Data indicates extensive damage in key provinces during the ongoing rainy season, reflecting Mozambique’s vulnerability to climate change and extreme weather events.

The Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) has urged the government to enhance aid to citizens impacted by Tropical Cyclone Jude, which struck the nation earlier this week. Frelimo Political Commission spokesperson Ludmila Maguni emphasized the necessity for increased support from the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD) and for implementing safety measures to assist those affected.

Cyclone Jude has tragically resulted in six fatalities, 20 injuries, and has significantly impacted 9,525 individuals across the provinces of Nampula, Niassa, and Zambézia. These figures were released by the INGD, highlighting the cyclone’s severe impact on local communities.

Furthermore, Jude has disrupted the education sector, affecting 17,401 students, 264 teachers, and damaging 59 schools and 181 classrooms in the regions struck by the cyclone. Meteorologist Manuel Francisco noted that upon entering Mozambique, the cyclone initially exhibited winds of 140 kilometers per hour, with gusts reaching up to 195 kilometers per hour.

Following its entry, the cyclone transitioned back to a severe tropical storm, with expectations for it to experience fluctuations between moderate and severe storm classifications over the next couple of days. Presently, the nation is amidst the rainy season lasting from October to April, a period that has previously seen the occurrence of Cyclones Chido and Dikeledi, which also impacted northern Mozambique.

These previous cyclones, recorded between December and January, had a profound consequence on the provinces of Cabo Delgado and Nampula, affecting approximately 736,000 people and leading to significant destruction of both public and private infrastructure. Data from the National Institute of Statistics reveals that extreme weather events have resulted in at least 1,016 fatalities in Mozambique between 2019 and 2023, thereby impacting around 4.9 million individuals.

Mozambique is recognized as one of the countries most significantly affected by global climate change, routinely confronting floods and tropical cyclones during the rainy season, alongside extended periods of severe drought.

In summary, Frelimo has called for enhanced governmental support for victims of Cyclone Jude, which has already claimed six lives and affected thousands. The cyclone’s impact extends to the education sector and highlights the ongoing challenges Mozambique faces due to climate change, with a history of extreme weather affecting millions. The call for increased assistance and measures reflects the urgent need to address the repercussions of such disasters on vulnerable populations.

Original Source: clubofmozambique.com