Aftermath of Cylone Jude: Where Do We Go from Here?

“We thought we wouldn’t go hungry this year because we had produced so much, but the wind destroyed everything,” says Luis, a husband and father of two young children. Luis, who lives in Nampula, a northern province of Mozambique, saw his agricultural production being destroyed by the devastating winds of Cyclone Jude on 10th March. The cyclone obliterated his crops of cassava, maize, beans, and sesame, leaving his family in a precarious situation. He now asks “Where do we go from here?”

In addition to losing his crops, Luis's home was also destroyed by the fierce winds. Now, Luis and his family are taking refuge in a local primary school that has been converted into an accommodation centre for families affected by the cyclone. The school, once a place of learning, is now a temporary shelter for many families who have lost everything.

Mozambique is particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events, and cyclones like Jude, as well as previous ones like Idai and Freddy, have a significant impact on local communities. These natural disasters not only destroy homes and livelihoods but also exacerbate the challenges faced by already vulnerable populations. The destruction of infrastructure, loss of crops, and displacement of families create a cycle of hardship that is difficult to break.

As Luís and his family, along with many others, strive to rebuild their lives, the need for support and resilience in the face of such climatic adversities becomes ever more apparent. Humanitarian aid, community solidarity, and long-term strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change are crucial in helping these communities recover and build a more resilient future.

By António Massipa, Regional Communications and Advocacy Coordinator