Frelimo Urges Increased Assistance for Cyclone Jude Victims in Mozambique

The Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) has called on the government to enhance assistance to victims of Tropical Cyclone Jude, which has resulted in six deaths and affected over 9,500 people. The cyclone’s impact extends to education, with thousands of students and classrooms affected. Mozambique continues to grapple with the repercussions of climate change, facing frequent severe weather events.

The Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) has urged the government to enhance support for citizens impacted by Tropical Cyclone Jude, which struck the nation on Monday, resulting in six fatalities. Ludmila Maguni, the spokesperson for Frelimo’s Political Commission, emphasized the need for increased assistance and the implementation of security measures through the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD).

The cyclone has left at least six people dead, injured twenty more, and affected an additional 9,525 individuals across the provinces of Nampula, Niassa, and Zambézia. According to the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD), over 17,401 students, 264 teachers, and 181 classrooms have also been impacted. Cyclone Jude made landfall with winds reaching 140 kilometers per hour, with gusts peaking at 195 kilometers per hour, as reported by Manuel Francisco, a meteorologist at the National Institute of Meteorology (INAM).

Following its entry into the nation, the cyclone diminished to a severe tropical storm, with projections indicating a fluctuation between moderate and severe storm conditions over the subsequent days. This event occurs during Mozambique’s rainy season, extending from October to April, which has already witnessed cyclones Chido and Dikeledi affecting the northern regions.

From December to January, preceding cyclones impacted the provinces of Cabo Delgado and Nampula, displacing approximately 736,000 individuals and causing extensive infrastructural damage. Reports indicate that extreme weather events, including cyclones and storms, have resulted in at least 1,016 fatalities between 2019 and 2023 and have affected roughly 4.9 million individuals, as per the National Institute of Statistics (INE). Mozambique is notably vulnerable to the effects of climate change, frequently contending with severe floods, tropical cyclones, and extended droughts.

In summary, Tropical Cyclone Jude has severely impacted Mozambique, prompting the Frelimo party to call for increased governmental assistance to the affected populations. Tragically, the cyclone has resulted in several fatalities, numerous injuries, and disrupted education for thousands of students. This disaster highlights the ongoing challenges Mozambique faces due to climate change, emphasizing a pressing need for effective disaster management and support for vulnerable communities.

Original Source: clubofmozambique.com