WFP Mozambique: Update on Assistance Following Cyclone Chido

The WFP has completed food aid distributions for Cyclone Chido, assisting 180,650 people with 7-day rations. Ongoing assistance plans require urgent funding of USD 14 million to support 55,000 individuals over the next three months. WFP is enhancing safety measures amid civil unrest to ensure continued aid delivery and effective coordination with partners.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has successfully completed the initial round of food distributions to those affected by Cyclone Chido in Cabo Delgado, providing support to 180,650 individuals with critical 7-day food rations as of January 10. Plans are underway to extend assistance to vulnerable families over the next three months, although current funding only permits aid for 55,000 people. An urgent appeal for USD 14 million has been made to sustain food assistance in the months of January through March 2025.

In light of the ongoing civil unrest in Mozambique, WFP has adopted enhanced safety measures to ensure the secure delivery of vital assistance. As a co-leader of the Food Security Cluster (FSC), WFP is actively collaborating with partners to prevent any overlaps or gaps in support, focusing on effective coordination of resources.

Following the suspension of field operations on December 29 due to security threats, WFP resumed its distribution efforts on January 6 after a comprehensive safety assessment. From January 6 to January 10, an additional 65,000 cyclone-affected individuals received emergency food aid, raising the total beneficiaries for the campaign to 180,650. Many areas remain access-restricted due to the cyclone’s considerable infrastructure damage, prompting WFP to work closely with partners to deliver assistance effectively.

WFP continues leveraging food supplies from existing reserves, predominantly located in Pemba and Nacala, as an immediate response while engaging with donor partners to replenish stock levels, ensuring that those in need can continue to receive vital support during this crisis.

Mozambique has been grappling with the aftermath of Cyclone Chido which made landfall in Cabo Delgado on December 15, causing significant destruction and displacing numerous families. The situation is worsened by the civil unrest occurring within the country, which has necessitated a careful approach to aid delivery. The WFP is at the forefront of disaster response, providing essential food supplies to affected communities while navigating these challenges to ensure unfettered access to assistance for vulnerable populations.

In response to Cyclone Chido, the WFP has efficiently delivered food aid to over 180,000 affected individuals while grappling with the need for additional funding to sustain operations. Coordination with partners remains critical to mitigate risks from civil unrest and ensure comprehensive assistance delivery. The pressing need for ongoing financial support underscores the challenges faced by humanitarian agencies in effectively responding to natural disasters in affected regions.

Original Source: reliefweb.int