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Cyclone Dikeledi: UN Reinforces Humanitarian Response in the Northen Mozambique

Cyclone Dikeledi: UN Reinforces Humanitarian Response in the Northen Mozambique

The United Nations, in coordination with the Mozambican authorities, has stepped up humanitarian assistance to the communities affected by cyclone Dikeledi, which hit the north of the country last Sunday (12). The event comes less than a month after Cyclone Chido devastated the same region, UN News reported on Friday 17 January.

The representative of the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA) in Maputo, Paola Emerson, emphasised that the top priority is the provision of food, considering that more than 3 million Mozambicans were already facing high food insecurity before the disaster.

‘Food is the main concern. The response began even before the cyclone hit the country. Since Saturday (11), the World Food Programme and its partners have provided one-week food assistance to more than 190,000 people. In addition, the cholera vaccination campaign, which began on 6 January, has reached 86% of the 200,000 people targeted,’ she said.

The provinces of Cabo Delgado and Nampula, in the north of the country, were hit by cyclone Dikeledi, which brought heavy rain and strong winds, leaving traces of destruction. In December, cyclone Chido had already caused dozens of deaths and left more than 150,000 people without electricity in the same area.

OCHA has warned that Mozambique could be hit by 12 major storms between now and April, a direct consequence of climate change, according to Paola Emerson.

Earlier this week, the UNHCR announced the distribution of more than 800 assistance kits to help around 4,000 people. The aim of the UN agencies is to provide aid to more than 400,000 people affected by the cyclones, but they emphasise the urgent need for additional funding to expand the response.

In addition to Mozambique, Cyclone Dikeledi directly affected more than 5,200 people in Madagascar, emphasising the regional impact of storms.

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