Mozambique: more than 10,000 houses destroyed by cyclone Jokwe

Cyclone “Jokwe” made landfall in Mozambique on Saturday and is now travelling southwards.  Even though it has now been downgraded to a category 2 “intense tropical storm”, high winds are still likely to cause more destruction.

According to UN and government sources, at least seven people died and more than 10,000 houses have been totally or partly destroyed. A government spokesperson quoted by the Mozambique news agency says that at least 55,000 people are currently homeless and a total of 165,000 people have been affected so far. Numbers are still expected to rise as “Jokwe” is now moving to other parts of the country, possibly towards Inhambane, Gaza and Maputo provinces.

A yellow alert is also in place in the coastal cities of Vilanculos and Govuro. Vilanculos was already hit by cyclone Flavio in February 2007. At least 10 people had been killed then.

“Jokwe” has caused severe damage to the Nampula area. According to Mozambique Red Cross, up to 5,000 houses have been destroyed in the area alone. Several schools and buildings were also washed away. The impact of the cyclone was more limited in the Zambezia province. More information on the extent of damages will be available shortly when the first assessment team deployed by the Red Cross completes its mission.

As soon as the alert was raised, Mozambique Red Cross volunteers and staff went into action, bringing emergency help, erecting tents for displaced people and distributing mosquito nets, blankets, jerry cans, plastic buckets  and sleeping mats.   The Mozambique Red Cross is working closely with UN agencies and the national disaster management agency. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is closely monitoring the situation and will send emergency supplies if needed.

However, the risk of renewed flooding is now considered minimal because the rains are now mainly concentrated on coastal areas.  Furthermore, the National Disaster Management Institute announced yesterday the end of the “red Alert” for the hydrometric basins of the central region of Mozambique, Save,Zambeze, Púngue and Búzi. This “red alert” had been declared on January 3 due to the increase of water levels.

Even though cyclone Jokwe caused much destruction, the limited number of victims is a clear sign that the community-based disaster management programme implemented in Mozambique is working well. “An early warning system, using colour codes is activated every time there is an alert for floods or for a cyclone,” explains Farid Aiywar, Regional Disaster Management coordinator for southern Africa at the International Federation based in Johannesburg. “When this happens, community members immediately implement contingency plans. This early warning system has played a major role in reducing the number of deaths and injuries again this time,” he adds.

Cyclone Jokwe hit Mozambique as part of the country was still trying to cope with the consequences of severe flooding that started in December 2007, also destroying houses, crops and livelihoods. More than 100,000 people were affected.

Mozambique is one the countries covered by the International Federation’s revised appeal for 11.4 million Swiss francs (US$ 10.3 million / euro 7.1 million) launched on 13 February to support Red Cross Societies in their response to the recent floods.