** Jude cyclone: Mozambique in the face of repeated calamity – an uncertain future **
** The distressing painting of the Jude cyclone **: Mozambique, already struck by cataclysmic climatic events, sees its destiny redrawing with each surge of devastating storms. On March 10, 2025, the northern coasts of the country underwent a cyclone with gusts exceeding 195 km/h, causing a human and material disaster whose magnitude continues to grow. While the current assessment reports nine dead and twenty wounded, it is crucial to understand not only the immediate impact of this disaster, but also the underlying issues that exacerbate the country’s vulnerability in the face of these increasingly frequent natural events.
** A recurring trauma **: According to data from the National Institute of Statistics, between 2019 and 2023, nearly 5 million Mozambicans were affected by cyclones, an alarming figure which challenges the absence of adequate responses in the face of the rise of these climatic phenomena. Each cyclone only makes the consequences of a heritage of poverty and poor resource management. The destruction of 74 km of electric lines, the collapse of bridges and roads, as well as the closing of schools, are not only material damage, but the reflection of a fragile system where the infrastructures cannot withstand an event of this magnitude.
** Stakes aggravated by climate change **: Jude cyclone is not an isolated incident, but rather the illustration of a growing phenomenon aggravated by the effects of climate change. The average ocean temperature increases, nourishing increasingly powerful cyclones. Coastal countries like Mozambique, which have an aging and often unsuitable infrastructure, are found at the mercy of an unpredictable climate. The important thing is no longer only to rebuild after each disaster, but also to rethink our approach in terms of climate resilience and adaptation.
** The authorities’ response: Crisis management to revisit **: in Mozambique, the authorities, although reactive, often seem exceeded by the extent of destruction. Eduardo Abdula, the governor of Nampula, evokes a “chaotic situation”, but the question remains: why are the planning and prevention of disasters not integrated from the start in regional development? The answer could reside in a lack of coordination between the various government agencies, but also in excessive dependence on international aid, which, although essential, tends to hide systemic challenges.
** Psychosocial impact and education **: Beyond the destruction of infrastructure, the psychological consequences of such a drama should not be overlooked. For the 17,500 children whose education is compromised, the trauma associated with repeated emergency situations is immense. According to previous studies, children affected by natural disasters show higher rates of anxiety and depression. How can NGOs and the State integrate psychosocial support programs in humanitarian aid from the start of each crisis?
** Lessons to be learned for the future **: the catastrophe brought by the Jude Cyclone should appear in history books, but it is imperative that it also serves a lesson. Investments in resilient infrastructure, population training in crisis management, and the development of solid prevention policies constitute inevitable stages to get out of this destructive cycle. In addition, it is essential to integrate sustainable development strategies which aim to reduce economic vulnerability and improve the well-being of populations.
At the end of this analysis, it appears that one of the biggest challenges in Mozambique in the face of cyclones like Jude is the ability to transform pain and loss into constructive equities. It is a call to decision-makers, NGOs, and citizens themselves to work together to build a future where the cyclone does not become synonymous with disaster, but the opportunity for renewal and resilience.
In this storm of suffering, it is crucial that national and international solidarity is reflected in tangible actions which carry in them the hope of a Mozambique not only rebuilt, but also reinforced.