Cyclone Chido was a Category 4 storm that devastated the island of Mayotte and severely damaged parts of the islands of Comoros, northern Mozambique and southern Malawi.
Hundreds to thousands of people are feared dead, and large numbers of people have been displaced after the storm demolished entire neighborhoods. Many of those living in the storm’s path had already been dealing with armed conflict, disease outbreaks, drought and poverty.
Key facts:
- The storm knocked out power, water and phone services in Mayotte, leaving hundreds of thousands of people stranded.
- Around 90,000 children have been affected by the storm in Mozambique.
- While the storm lost intensity as it hit Malawi, at least 45,000 people were affected by strong winds and rain.
- Mozambique is one of the countries most affected by climate change.
(Photo: Damage in Mayotte after Cyclone Chido. Credit: French National Gendarmerie via X.)
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What we’re watching: Weekly disaster update, January 13
Mayotte
Cyclone Chido was the worst storm to hit the archipelago in nearly a century. Currently, the death toll stands at 31 people, but the numbers are likely in the hundreds to thousands as rescue operations continue.
Many people in Mayotte faced poverty and insecurity before the storm hit. Since hospitals require a fee to release the body of a loved one, many people are unable to afford to retrieve the bodies of their loved ones. The number of injured people is overwhelming hospital services.
At least half of Mayotte’s official population of 321,000 is from overseas. Comorans, residents of the three islands of Comoros, which declared independence from France in the mid-70s, while Mayotte voted to stay French, make up 95% of that population. Additionally, there are a large number of undocumented migrants from Comoros and Madagascar, many of whom did not go to official shelters to wait out the storm out of fear of being arrested.
President Macron of France arrived in Mayotte on Dec. 19, bringing health care, aid and rescue services.
Mozambique
There have been at least 45 fatalities recorded in Mozambique so far, with the number expected to rise in the coming days. More than 34,000 families lost their homes, and 186,000 classrooms have been destroyed. Many health care facilities and fishing boats have also been destroyed or damaged.
Humanitarian aid has had some difficulty reaching those in need due to the presence of non-state armed groups blocking roads. Additionally, the rainy season has made many roads muddy and impassable, further slowing rescue efforts.
This situation is compounded by seven years of violent political conflict in Mozambique, which has internally displaced more than 1.3 million people, 80 percent of whom are women and children.
Before the storm, Mozambique struggled with disease outbreaks, which now threaten to worsen.
Malawi
At least 13 people have died in Malawi from Cyclone Chido, and another 45,000 were affected. The storm had weakened before making landfall but brought considerable damage to homes and infrastructure, nonetheless.
Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, with 71 percent living in poverty. Schools, health facilities and maternity and early childhood centers have been damaged.
Recovery will be different for each of the affected areas and countries. As a department of France, Mayotte will receive some French and broader European support.
Comoros and Mayotte are both islands and can only be accessed by air or water. Extraneous and unneeded goods brought onto the islands will add to the debris and waste management problem created by the storm. It is important that philanthropy works with local organizations to only send needed goods or cash.
Cash assistance
As with most disasters, experts recommend cash donations, which allow on-the-ground agencies to direct funds to the greatest area of need, support economic recovery and ensure in-kind donation management does not detract from disaster recovery needs.
Many people lost everything in the cyclone. Direct cash assistance allows families to purchase items and services locally that address their multiple needs. It gives each family flexibility and choice, ensuring that support is relevant and timely. Cash assistance can also help move families faster toward rebuilding their lives.
Vulnerable populations
After a disaster, gender-based violence against women and girls, including sexual assault and trafficking, is common.
According to Prevention Web, “Many studies have shown that disasters, including tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods, disproportionately affect women and girls, who are at greater risk of violence and exploitation than men and boys in the face of uprooted housing and traditional support structures, disrupted access to services, and both structural and social obstacles to accessing food, relief, supplies, and latrines.”
The protection and security of children is also a major concern.
Additionally, other marginalized groups, including refugees, people with disabilities, older people and transgender people, experience greater difficulties in accessing essential aid and services and are vulnerable to abuse, violence and exploitation.
CDP has a Global Recovery Fund that allows donors to meet the ongoing and ever-expanding challenges presented by global crises. Select "2024 Cyclone Chido" from the dropdown menu.
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Philanthropic contributions
If you have questions about donating to the CDP Global Recovery Fund, need help with your disaster-giving strategy or want to share how you’re responding to this disaster, please contact development.
(Photo: Damage in Mayotte after Cyclone Chido. Credit: French Ministry of the Interior via X.)
Recovery updates
If you are a responding NGO, please send updates on how you are working in this disaster to tanya.gulliver-garcia@disasterphilanthropy.org.
We welcome the republication of our content. Please credit the Center for Disaster Philanthropy.
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