Cyclone Idai struck the coastline of Mozambique on 14 March, causing devastation and heavy loss of life. Beira, the second largest city in the country with some 500,000 inhabitants, was directly impacted, with winds blowing up to 190 km/h.
Significant flooding was caused by two weeks of heavy rainfall in the entire central region of Mozambique.
According to the latest UN reports, the cyclone reportedly killed 417 people, injured thousands and displaced 400,000 throughout the country. The number of victims, however, may increase as communication channels are re-established.
Based on sky observation of Beira, it is estimated almost 90% of the city was destroyed. Significant damage to Beira’s infrastructures includes schools and health facilities. The emergency room at Central Hospital was reportedly destroyed. Many road infrastructures as well as communication means are also out of order. The situation is extremely worrying for the surrounding villages that did not have such strong infrastructure.
Above average rainfall is expected in the coming days, adding to the risk of further flooding in the affected areas.
More than 75,000 pregnant women were impacted by the disaster with 60% of them expected to give birth in the next six months. More than 90,000 people are located in 122 emergency shelters, more than half of them in Sofala province.
Beira regional drug stock has not suffered losses. An appeal has been made by the Ministry of Health to mobilise health workers in the country.
MdM Spain has a development mission in Mozambique and has deployed a team Sunday 24th March to assess the needs and respond to the emergency in coordination with other MdM Chapters. MdM Portugal has sent a communication officer as part of the emergency team.
The emergency stock of MdM France has been made available to support the emergency response. The stock will be chartered by a Crisis and Support Center plane on Wednesday 27th March. This stock includes needed equipment to set up a health center and provide consultations to 10,000 people over 3 months.
Read the full MdM Network newsletter