According to the latest situation report of the United Nations, at least 174,000 people were impacted by Cyclone Chido, but numbers may increase as assessments continue.
In addition to homes damaged, at least 186,000 classrooms were destroyed, and 20 health facilities hit, after the storm made landfall on Sunday in Mozambique.
Cyclone Chido hit close to the city of Pemba in Cabo Delgado, blowing away roofs, damaging civilian infrastructure, and leveling electricity and communication systems.
Mary Louise Eagleton, UNICEF Representative in Mozambique, said “Mozambique is considered one of the most affected countries in the world by climate change and children were already experiencing several life-threatening emergencies before Cyclone Chido, including conflict, drought, and disease outbreaks.”
UNICEF, along with other UN agencies, the government, NGOs and local partners – is “responding and prioritizing decisive actions for emergency humanitarian action despite the enormous challenges children face in Mozambique” Eagleton said.
The cyclone also tore through Nampula and Niassa provinces, leaving over 25,000 families without electricity and damaging two water facilities.
In a region already fighting a cholera outbreak, the latest devastation creates an ominous likelihood that the outbreak will further deteriorate.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has experts on the ground in Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces, supporting authorities to conduct health assessments to identify and address immediate needs.
France’s President Macron is expected to visit Mayotte, a French Island, hard hit by the cyclone over the weekend.
Picture: Global Bank Disaster Risk Reduction and Reconstruction Fund