Devastation and Recovery Efforts Following Cyclone Chido’s Impact on Mozambique.

On Monday, Pemba, Mozambique, began efforts to rebuild and clean up after Cyclone Chido, which devastated the region on Friday and Saturday. The cyclone, classified as a category 4 storm by the French weather service, brought winds exceeding 220 kph (136 mph).

The first area affected was the Cabo Delgado province, home to around 2 million people, where many homes, schools, and health facilities were either partially or completely destroyed. In Pemba, displaced individuals sought shelter while others started the process of rebuilding their severely damaged properties.

A spokesperson from UNICEF warned that communities might be cut off from schools and healthcare services for weeks, and local authorities cautioned about the significant risk of landslides.

The cyclone season in the southwestern Indian Ocean spans from December to March, and southern Africa has recently faced a series of powerful storms. In 2019, Cyclone Idai caused over 1,300 deaths, primarily in Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. Last year, Cyclone Freddy claimed more than 1,000 lives across the region.

These cyclones bring severe risks of flooding and landslides, and the resulting stagnant water often leads to waterborne diseases such as cholera, along with dengue fever and malaria. Cyclone Chido also caused widespread damage in Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean, and claimed several lives as it made its way toward Africa’s eastern coastline.

The storm also impacted the Comoros islands, north of Mayotte, prompting the highest alert level in certain areas. Meanwhile, Malawi and Zimbabwe braced for the storm’s inland effects. Malawi’s Department of Disaster Management Affairs issued a warning about potential flooding and advised residents in at-risk zones to move to higher ground. In Zimbabwe, authorities recommended that some residents prepare for evacuation.

Research indicates that cyclones are intensifying due to climate change, yet southern African countries, which contribute minimally to the global climate crisis, are disproportionately facing the resulting humanitarian challenges.