After Chido: Cabo Delgado is calling for more humanitarian aid

 

At this moment, the aid is insufficient, as there are few organizations on the ground, and the National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD) does not have a comprehensive response.

This time, it is not due to the terrorist attacks that are still happening, but because of a natural disaster. Cyclone Chido severely affected the districts of Mecufi, Pemba, Chiúre, Ancuabe, and Metuge. In total, more than 50 lives have been lost.

However, this number could reach 80 if the deaths recorded in the provinces of Nampula and Niassa are included. Additionally, around 600 people are injured, 181,554 are displaced, 12,276 houses were destroyed, and several infrastructures were damaged across the three provinces.

But only in Cabo Delgado is the situation desolate. The province, which was recovering from Cyclone Kenneth and terrorist attacks, has been hit once again. Lives, houses, and infrastructures have fallen.

"The cyclone affected Mecufi a lot, and here in Chiúre, but everyone is talking only about Mecufi. Here in Chiúre, the situation is not being considered. Many houses were destroyed, people died, my cousin, we buried her, she was pregnant. The house she lived in collapsed on her, and she couldn’t get out. She lost her life," said Celestino, a resident of Chiúre.

The same source mentioned that several government institutions were destroyed. "At least I know of two, but there are many houses here in the community. Cupe neighborhood is one of the most affected."

Abudo Marques, a displaced person from Macomia, also described the difficult situation for displaced families: "I’ve seen Kenneth and this cyclone. If it wasn’t the same as this one, it was worse. We lost everything, all our huts are gone. We need more help, not as displaced people, but as victims of this situation."

In the locality of Mieze, in the district of Metuge, it is also said that Cyclone Chido caused the worst damage. "I was affected, but I had to leave Pemba and come here to Mieze to see it up close, because the news we had was scary, and it’s true. From this area near the chain to the market, the market that was named after Isaura Nyusi was also hit, it’s gone," said Assane Nnú.

"I was in Metuge to work, there were many displaced families there that were already organizing, but everything is gone, just like in Mieze, in the headquarters of Metuge. The situation is one of large-scale destruction," said a source who wished to remain anonymous.

Just like the United Nations agencies such as UNHCR and UNICEF, the Portuguese organization Helpo states that the district of Mecufi is one of the hardest-hit areas.

However, Guy Taylor from UNICEF warns about the risks of outbreaks of waterborne diseases due to the poor hygiene and sanitation conditions "We are concerned about the potential spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera, malaria, and diarrhea, which are one of the leading causes of child mortality," he said.

Cited by the Citizen Health Observatory, the provincial chief doctor of Cabo Delgado, Edson Fernando, assured that there have been no suspected cases of waterborne diseases, one week after Cyclone Chido. (AA)