PRESS RELEASE
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U.S. Government Announces Immediate Assistance Post-Cyclone Gombe Recovery
April 21, 2022 – The U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing additional humanitarian assistance for those affected by Tropical Cyclone Gombe. To date, the storm’s torrential rainfall and high winds have impacted more than 736,000 people, resulted in 68 deaths and 108 injuries, and caused significant damage to housing, crops, and infrastructure. According to INGD (Instituto Nacional de Gestão e Redução do Risco de Desastres), the cyclone most heavily affected the provinces of Nampula, Zambezia, and Sofala.
“Cyclone Gombe caused tremendous damage to entire communities in the center and north of Mozambique,” said U.S. Ambassador to Mozambique Peter H. Vrooman. “The U.S. Government maintains its commitment to support those in need with humanitarian assistance in order to rebuild with dignity.” Cyclone Gombe destroyed more than 78,000 houses and damaged 69 health centers and more than 2,250 classrooms. In addition, the storm disrupted electricity and water supply systems, and flooded more than 1,000 km of roads and more than 90,000 hectares of crops. This destruction isolated some communities and further complicated the access of essential services and humanitarian assistance.
USAID is partnering with CARE International to provide urgently needed shelter and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) assistance to support storm-affected people in Nampula Province. CARE will distribute WASH kits, which include items for water treatment, soap, and emergency hygiene items like hand sanitizer, masks, and bleach. This assistance totals $1.6 million USD. Additionally, USAID is supporting the International Organization on Migration (IOM) to provide non-food items such as tarps, plastic sheeting, and shelter kits in areas affected by Cyclone Gombe in central and northern Mozambique. Other humanitarian assistance partners, such as Food for the Hungry, are utilizing their existing U.S. Government-provided resources to address shelter and water needs in affected areas throughout the region.
U.S. Government teams in Mozambique, South Africa, and Washington, D.C., are closely monitoring the evolving impacts of Tropical Cyclone Gombe in coordination with humanitarian partners throughout the region and assessing additional needs.
The United States is the single largest donor of humanitarian assistance to Mozambique, providing more than $92 million in humanitarian assistance since January 2021. The United States stands with communities throughout Mozambique as they recover from this storm and other crises.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) leads the U.S. Government’s international development and disaster assistance through partnerships and investments that save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people emerge from humanitarian crises. For more information about USAIDs work, visit www.usaid.gov. For the latest updates on USAID’s humanitarian assistance in Mozambique, visit: https://www.usaid.gov/humanitarian-assistance/mozambique
USAID assessment team visiting a resettlement camp in Nicoadala District in Zambezia Province in March 2022.
