The destruction Cyclone Idai wrought to infrastructure, housing and health services continues to affect the daily lives of more than two million people in Mozambique and Zimbabwe.  

Food, non-food items and shelter support are among the most significant needs, according to recent IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) location assessments conducted in the four affected provinces of Mozambique. 

“We were all home when the cyclone hit; suddenly the water inside our home was at waist height,” said Graca, a mother six in Beira, Mozambique.

“Our house was made of brick, but now only rubble is left. We need blankets, mosquito nets and support to restart. I just want a space and material to make a house for my family.” 

Thanks to the Government of Japan, a portion of these needs will be met over the next six months, through a financial contribution of USD 1.35 million for shelter and non-food items (NFI) for cyclone- affected families in Mozambique and related emergency assistance in Zimbabwe. 

“We offer our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the people who have suffered from Cyclone Idai,” said Katsuki Urashima, Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Mozambique.  

“Japan expresses sincere solidarity with the affected population to overcome this difficult time and wishes that this humanitarian aid will be helpful for the people to do so.” 

An estimated 1.85 million people in four province in Mozambique need humanitarian assistance. Nearly 240,000 homes are damaged or destroyed, and widespread areas experienced devastation. Seven weeks after Cyclone Idai struck, nearly 68,000 persons remain displaced in over 80 temporary accommodation sites.  

DTM assessments across the border in Zimbabwe show that nearly 69,000 people were displaced by the cyclone, primarily in Manicaland and Masvingo districts. The majority of IDPs there are living in host communities, while others are in collective centres or camp like settings. Food and shelter were identified as the main needs. 

IOM’s work in support of the Government of Mozambique is closely coordinated with the country’s National Institute for Disaster Management (INGC), the Shelter Cluster and UN and NGO partners. Support will continue to INGC temporary accommodation sites and facilitated relocation schemes through engagement on Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM), while regular tracking of population movements and monitoring of the needs is conducted through the DTM. 

IOM Mozambique Chief of Mission Katharina Schnoering said: “Cyclone Idai caused extensive damage to infrastructure and astounding human impact; continued humanitarian assistance is required. We greatly appreciate the Government of Japan’s attention to these needs.” 

In Zimbabwe, Japan’s contribution will assist the most vulnerable displaced families. 

“IOM Zimbabwe has taken on the coordination role of shelter, NFI and CCCM cluster; shelter and related needs remain high so the support from the Government of Japan is very timely,” said Takuya Ono, IOM’s Shelter Cluster Coordinator in Zimbabwe. 

IOM Mozambique: Katharina Schnoering, Email: kschnoering@iom.int, or Sandra Black, Tel: +258 852 162 278, Email: sblack@iom.int   

IOM Zimbabwe: For more information, please contact Varaidzo Mudombi, Tel: +26324270428, Email: vmudombi@iom.int