Approximately 400 people have lost their lives, and around 1,800 have been injured due to six cyclones that struck Mozambique over the past three years, as reported by the president of the Mozambican Disaster Management Institute during a global discussion on natural disasters.
According to a post on the Facebook page of Mozambique's National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD), "In the last three years, the country has experienced six tropical cyclones, resulting in about 400 deaths, 1,800 injuries, and directly impacting around three million individuals." This statement was made by INGD president LuÃsa Meque at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction GP2025, which has been ongoing since Monday in Geneva, Switzerland.
During the event, Meque highlighted that Mozambique faced three cyclones—Chido, Dikeledi, and Jude—during the 2024/2025 rainy season, emphasizing the need for the country to adopt a more "scientific and preventive" approach to managing natural disasters.
The president of INGD emphasized the importance of enhancing the understanding and use of data regarding the effects of adverse weather as a crucial element in risk management. He noted that Mozambique's experience demonstrates that systematic data collection and analysis are vital for community recovery and resilience.
“Our situation demands a more scientific and preventive approach. We have a specific law for risk management, and we incorporate this perspective into our short- and long-term planning,” Meque stated, while also recognizing the challenges posed by database management and the use of information and communication technologies, which are hindered by limited coverage in Mozambique.
"We rely on our partners' support to enhance these essential tools for effective planning of the country's sustainable economic development. To everyone who contributes to positive initiatives for the most vulnerable, we extend our heartfelt gratitude," she concluded.
Mozambique is among the countries most severely impacted by global climate change, facing recurring floods and tropical cyclones during the rainy season, along with extended periods of intense drought.
Between December and March, Cyclones Chido, Dikeledi, and Jude struck Mozambique, destroying thousands of homes and infrastructure and resulting in approximately 175 fatalities in the northern and central regions of the country.
