In brief
Cyclone Chido has claimed 94 lives in Mozambique following its landfall last week, causing widespread destruction and displacing hundreds of thousands. The country's National Institute of Risk and Disaster Management (INGD) reports that 768 individuals suffered injuries, with more than 622,000 residents affected by the cyclone's catastrophic impact since it made landfall on December 15.
Packing winds at 260 km/h (160 mph) and unleashing 250mm of rain within its first day, Chido first struck the French territory of Mayotte before moving on to Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. The cyclone devastated northern provinces, primarily Cabo Delgado, and continued inland to Niassa and Nampula. The storm severely disrupted the education and health sectors, impacting over 109,793 students and damaging 52 healthcare facilities, which jeopardizes access to essential services, especially in regions that were already underserved.Daniel Chapo, leader of Mozambique's ruling party, stated that the government is mobilizing aid and resources to support recovery efforts in the hardest-hit areas including Mecúfi, Nampula, Memba, and Niassa. Meanwhile, in Mayotte, the cyclone is being recognized as the most intense storm to hit the archipelago in nearly a century, with a reported death toll of 35; local officials fear that this number could rise significantly.One week after the cyclone's landfall, many residents in Mayotte are still struggling without basic resources, although aid efforts are underway, with the delivery of food and clean water continuing. The UN’s climate body notes that while assessing climate change impacts on specific storms is complex, evidence suggests a human influence on the increasing intensity of tropical cyclones.Authorities continue to highlight the urgent need for resilient planning to mitigate future storm impacts as communities across the region begin to assess the damage and initiate recovery efforts.
