Urgent Aid Needed: Cyclone Chido Devastates Displaced Communities in Mozambique
By António Massipa - Regional Communications, Advocacy and Government Relations Coordinator
Metuge, Mozambique – Rufina, a resilient mother and wife, has endured unimaginable trials over the past four years. Displaced by conflict, she and her family sought refuge in Metuge, striving to reconstruct their lives amidst the upheaval.
"Our life was shattered when the fighting started," Rufina says with a weak voice. "We got here with nothing and were slowly getting back on our feet, but now, after this cyclone, we don't know what to do," she regrets.
The recent devastation brought by Cyclone Chido has exacerbated their hardships. "Our home was destroyed. We are trying to rebuild it, but lack sufficient materials. Tarpaulins would be most welcome," she added.
World Vision Mozambique is starting the distribution of shelter and kitchen kits to cover around 250 families, but the number is far from alleviating the burden more than 300,000 people impacted by the cyclone are going through.
Compounding Rufina's present struggle is the loss of their invaluable identification documents, rendered almost illegible by the relentless onslaught of heavy rains and strong winds. She desperately attempts to salvage what she can, knowing of their vital importance in reconstructing their lives anew.
As Rufina and her family navigate this arduous chapter, their story underscores the urgent need for support and resources to aid displaced families in recovering from both conflict and natural disasters.
Rufina is one of the thousands of internally displaced survivors trying to rebuild her and her family's lives following the conflict in Cabo Delgado Province, north-eastern Mozambique, which started in October 2017 and is characterized by extreme violence perpetrated by non-state armed groups.
World Vision Mozambique is already responding to an underfunded category III National Response declared for Cabo Delgado & Nampula to assist thousands of displaced like Rufina by the conflict. However, Cyclone Chido added additional pressure making the mobilization of resources URGENT amid other threats such as waterborne diseases.
Therefore, a Platform of Humanitarian Partners comprising humanitarian organizations World Vision Mozambique, Plan International, ADRA, and CARE, combined efforts aiming to assist more than 100,000 people stricken by Cyclone Chido and need to secure around 18 million dollars to enable interventions and thus ensure urgent provision of food, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, and protection.
"This building of synergies and partnership is not new and aims to further strengthen our capacity to respond to the needs of the communities we are called to serve," said World Vision Mozambique's Country Director Carolina da Silva.