Press release – 23 December 2024
Families uprooted from their homes after Tropical Cyclone Chido are being supported by ShelterBox and CARE Mozambique. The powerful cyclone made landfall on the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte before ripping through Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe.
Powerful winds and heavy rains left many areas devastated, including northern Mozambique that was already home to huge numbers of people displaced because of a long-running conflict in the country.
More than 600,000 people have been affected in Mozambique by the cyclone since it made landfall on 15 December, bringing winds of 260 km/h (160mph) and 250mm of rainfall in 24 hours.
ShelterBox’s Programme Manager for Mozambique, Sonja Hughes says: “People living in Cabo Delgado already face enormous challenges from the ongoing instability and conflict. Thousands of people have already had to leave their homes and possessions several times to find safety. Now the same people are having to cope with the destruction following Tropical Cyclone Chido.”
ShelterBox has been working in the country since 2021, in partnership with CARE Mozambique. Together, they’ve supported over 96,000 people affected by conflict in Cabo Delago with emergency shelter aid.
Sonja adds: “Now, we’re supporting more than 10,000 people affected by Tropical Cyclone Chido in Mozambique. For many, what little belongings they did have have been damaged or destroyed during the storm.
“Through our partner CARE Mozambique, we’ll distribute thermal blankets, sleeping mats, kitchen sets, mosquito nets, and rechargeable solar lights. This will support people sheltering in communal buildings like schools.”
As extreme weather gets worse, hits the same places more often, and lasts longer more and more people are being displaced in climate vulnerable countries like Mozambique. Recovering nations and communities that have contributed the least to the climate crisis are facing the brunt of more severe storms and flooding. And that can be exacerbated in countries where there is conflict.
With so many people displaced around the world, ShelterBox is rethinking disasters and changing the way it works, including how it prepares for a response before a disaster happens.
Sonja says: “We had aid items stored in the north of Mozambique because of how susceptible it is to extreme weather and other disasters. This allows us to respond more quickly, getting aid to people as soon as possible.
“We’re using the supplies we have pre-positioned to support some of the worst affected communities in the districts of Mecufi and Chiúre.”
Thermal blankets and sleeping mats will mean people can stay warmer at night, kitchen sets will mean families can prepare warm meals, mosquito nets will help protect families from waterborne diseases and malaria that can spread more quickly after extreme weather like this. And solar lights will mean families can see when it falls dark.
The scale of damage emerging is vast and the number of people needing support is extremely high. ShelterBox is exploring all options to see whether it’s possible to expand its response and get more supplies into the country in a timely way.
No international assistance has been requested for the French island of Mayotte. The French government is leading the response with growing support from French agencies.
ENDS
For more information contact the press office at ShelterBox via [email protected].
Notes to Editors
- Interviews available with ShelterBox’s Programme Manager for Mozambique, Sonja Hughes.
- Images available.
About ShelterBox
ShelterBox provides emergency shelter and other essential items to families who have lost their homes to disasters. With operational headquarters in Cornwall, the charity also has 13 affiliate organisations worldwide. The charity has been Rotary International’s project partner in disaster relief since 2012. ShelterBox has supported more than 3 million people since it was founded in 2000. www.shelterbox.org
