Cyclone Chido has made landfall in northern Mozambique, causing devastation and flooding. The category 4 cyclone, with destructive windspeeds of up to 260km/h and heavy rains (250mm/24h), hit just 35-40km south of the city of Pemba in Cabo Delgado province. Tearfund is working with the local church in Nampula, Cabo Delgado and Niassa provinces to evacuate vulnerable people to safety. People have been advised to move to safe places identified by the National Institute for Management and Disaster Risk Reduction (INGD).
Judas Massingue, Tearfund’s Country Director in Mozambique, said: ‘This is a severe storm causing a lot of damage. We are particularly concerned about flooding and the difficulties this will cause for people living with disabilities, the elderly and child-headed households. Through our work with the local church, we have carried out community mapping so that there is a plan in place to support these vulnerable people to reach safety in exactly this scenario. We are also preparing to be able to provide food, clean water and comfort once the storm has passed.’
For more information or to arrange an interview with Judas, please contact Esther Trewinnard on 07783 409045 or [email protected].
