Situation Report on Tropical Cyclone Jude in Mozambique – March 2025

Tropical Cyclone Jude struck Mozambique on March 10, 2025, causing widespread damage and humanitarian needs, particularly in Nampula. The CCCM has initiated response efforts amid ongoing impacts from previous cyclones. Temporary accommodation centers are being established but require formal recognition and better management. Urgent support for food, sanitation, and education is needed to assist displaced populations.

On March 6, 2025, a low-pressure system developed into Tropical Cyclone Jude, impacting Mozambique as it reached land on March 10, particularly affecting Nampula province. With wind speeds soaring to 195 km/h and rainfall exceeding 250 mm within 24 hours, the cyclone caused significant damage to infrastructure, resulted in loss of life, injured numerous individuals, displaced communities, and escalated humanitarian needs in both urban and rural areas.

The humanitarian response in northern Mozambique is currently stretched thin, primarily due to the preceding cyclones, Chido in December 2024 and Dikeledi in January 2025. On March 8, the Technical Council for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (CTGD) activated emergency measures. Subsequent activities by the Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) Cluster began on March 9, focusing on preparing communities through the distribution of cleaning and repair equipment, risk reduction messaging, and assistance to the National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD).

In response to the cyclone, local authorities have established accommodation centers in Nampula and Zambézia provinces. Site management teams have been mobilized to conduct initial needs assessments and facilitate coordination. CCCM and Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) teams identified 59 temporary accommodation sites across nine districts in Nampula and one in Zambézia. However, formal recognition of these sites as official accommodation centers is still pending, necessitating enhanced collaboration amongst CCCM, DTM, the Local Government and Disaster Risk Management Committee (CLGRD), and other stakeholders for accurate data management and effective support.

Many families are compelled to become night commuters, utilizing makeshift shelters in various facilities including schools, health centers, and other buildings while striving to restore their homes. There is an urgent requirement for food, water, shelter, sanitation, health, education, and nutrition support for these displaced populations, necessitating immediate improvements in their living conditions.

To facilitate better living environments, attention to fire safety, protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), and cholera prevention are required. Furthermore, implementation of basic utilities, such as handwashing stations and communal toilets, is crucial to enhance the living conditions at reception areas. The cyclone’s disruption has adversely affected educational access, as schools have been repurposed as shelters. A coordinated approach is urgently needed to support displaced families and recover educational opportunities for children impacted by the cyclone.

The CCCM Cluster continues to update and maintain records of temporary accommodation facilities in collaboration with DTM and local authorities. However, ongoing departures from these sites have led to planned and unplanned site deactivations, exacerbating the challenges faced in delivering assistance to affected communities.

The arrival of Tropical Cyclone Jude has devastated significant portions of Mozambique, leading to widespread infrastructural damage and humanitarian needs. The current response is hampered by prior cyclonic events, underscoring the necessity for enhanced coordination among relevant bodies. Immediate action to improve living conditions and education recovery for displaced families is paramount. As temporary accommodation needs evolve, continuous monitoring and management will be essential to address ongoing challenges effectively.

Original Source: reliefweb.int