Tropical Cyclone Idai - Mozambique
Tropical Cyclone Idai made landfall near Beira City, Mozambique, on March 14, 2019. One of the strongest tropical cyclones on record to hit the African continent, the cyclone resulted in loss of life and widespread destruction across Sofala, Manica, Zambezia, Tete and Inhambane provinces. Floodwaters continued to rise in the following days and weeks and, in some instances, entire villages were submerged.
The death toll in Mozambique was reported at more than 600. In Toal, 161,000 people were displaced and approximately 100,000 houses were totally or partially destroyed or flooded. An estimated 3000km2 of land was submerged by the floodwaters, resulting in significant damage to infrastructure and loss of livelihoods.
Above: These photos were taken about an hour's drive outside Beira in Nhamatanda district where World Vision distributed non-food items to 500 families. Kits included a rope, two tarpaulins, a 120 litre bucket, one plastic latrine cover, 3 mosquito nets and two five litre buckets. Photo credit: World Vision Australia.
The AHP Response
Through the AHP, the Australian Government committed AUD 750,000 to support humanitarian efforts in Mozambique. Funding targeted WASH, shelter and protection activities, with a further focus on gender, children and disability inclusion. The response was delivered between April and September 2019.
Working with World Vision Mozambique, World Vision Australia reached 27,311 internally displaced people and host community members in Buzi and Nhamatanda Districts in Sofala Procinces, including within the temporary settlements of Inharongue and Bandua. Women represented half of those reached, six percent of beneficiaries were people with disabilities and 33 percent were children.
Initial response efforts focused on improved access to safe drinking water and sanitation and hygiene facilities. Community awareness sessions on good hygiene and measures to reduce mosquito-breeding were held in an effort to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks such as cholera and malaria. The World Vision team also distributed essential non-food items, such as buckets and personal hygiene products.
With extensive disruption to schools, child friendly temporary learning centres were established to address the education and protection needs of displaced children.
Response Highlights
Child protection activities reached 3,564 children. World Vision worked with local governments to develop key child protection referral systems and constructed 10 child friendly temporary learning centres where vulnerable children were provided with critical psychosocial support.
Waterborne disease risk was mitigated through increased access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities and large scale hygiene awareness campaigns, benefiting 16,195 people. Community volunteers were trained in community WASH management, in turn mobilising local populations to own and lead the recovery process.
Through targeted sensitisation campaigns and training of caregivers on psychosocial support and child rights, World Vision provided protection services to 1,749 disabled children.
Classroom, student and teacher kits were provided to students and schools in 14 rural, hard to reach areas, minimising disruptions to education for 4,400 cyclone-affected children.