Cyclone Jude threatens to increase the risk of waterborne diseases in Mozambique, especially among children. UNICEF is dispatching aid while maintaining emergency shelters. The cyclone hit with winds of 120 km/h near Nacala, and proactive measures were taken via the Anticipatory Action Framework. The humanitarian response faces challenges due to ongoing crises and limited global funding.
Cyclone Jude has raised significant concerns in Mozambique, particularly regarding the health of children. Flooding from the cyclone increases the risk of waterborne diseases like cholera, diarrhea, and malaria, according to UNICEF. Many of the affected areas are densely populated with children, heightening the potential impact of these health risks.
In response to the crisis, UNICEF is working swiftly to provide essential supplies to affected communities while maintaining the integrity of emergency shelters. The cyclone struck Mozambique early on Monday, with wind speeds reaching 120 kilometers per hour. It impacted areas near Nacala in Nampula province, bringing fierce winds and heavy rainfall.
Prior to the cyclone’s landfall, the Mozambique Anticipatory Action (AA) Framework for Cyclones was activated, allowing for rapid deployment of funds from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). This enabled humanitarian organizations to initiate relief efforts three days before the storm hit.
Despite these proactive measures, humanitarian resources are stretched thin. The ongoing aftermath of Cyclone Chido in December 2024 and Cyclone Dikeledi in January 2025, along with a rising cholera outbreak and other pressures such as food insecurity and civil unrest, complicates the response efforts.
Furthermore, the tightening of global humanitarian funding makes acquiring necessary resources a challenging task amid these ongoing difficulties. Cyclone Jude is expected to move southwest across northern Mozambique and near Malawi’s border until March 12, after which it will head southeast across central Mozambique.
Cyclone Jude poses severe risks to the health of vulnerable children in Mozambique, with a heightened threat of waterborne diseases due to increased flooding. UNICEF’s rapid response, through preemptive relief efforts and mobilization of funds, aims to mitigate the impact. However, the strain on humanitarian resources due to previous cyclones and ongoing crises adds complexity to the situation, highlighting significant challenges in sustaining effective relief operations.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
