En route: Roads were blocked by trees that had fallen over in the tropical storm, delaying ForAfrika’s team delivering essential supplies
On 24 February, Cyclone Freddy hit the coast of Mozambique as a tropical storm. Heavy rains and flooding ensued. ForAfrika was prepared for the fallout.
When Cyclone Freddy made landfall in Mozambique, ForAfrika was ready and waiting to respond. The heavy rains, wind and flooding damaged houses, schools, clinics and crops. Floods washed roads away, leaving a number of villages stranded. Thousands of families have lost their food, homes and means of income.
Our teams in Inhambane and Sofala provinces set to work listening to the needs of the people and assessing the damage. We have delivered emergency rations of food, tarpaulins, blankets and other essentials to the most vulnerable.
When the weather calmed down, we visited farmers who have lost their crops, to find out what is needed to repair, restore and restart their livelihoods.
ForAfrika does not leave when the rain stops falling. We remain to assist those affected to get back on their feet and rebuild so they can prepare for future disasters.
Mozambique is prone to severe storms and has experienced an increasing number of them in recent years. Many people are still recovering from Cyclone Gombe in 2022. There will be more. Our aim is to build resilience in the face of these storms.
Driven by a deep love for our people, we won’t stop working until everyone on our continent has the resources they need.
Check point: Trucks full of items such as fortified rice and cooking utensils head out to communities affected by the tropical storm
Detour: Fallen trees blocked access roads and the team had to make their own way through the bush
All push: The severe weather caused a number of rural roads to be washed away and our vehicles got stuck in the mud
There at last: Items were delivered to a communal drop off point at a village school
Hand over: Items were distributed to families who needed them the most
Relief: A worried mother managed a smile after receiving a parcel for her family
Work continues: For some people, like Maria Nguila, more will be needed. She has lost her crops, which would have fed her family this dry season
Assessment: ForAfrika’s team assesses the damage to Maria’s farmland. Livelihood kits, which include items such as seeds, fishing equipment and tools, assist people to rebuild their small businesses
Hard knocks: Maria shows us her destroyed ground nuts. ForAfrika will provide her with groundnut seeds.
Sulette Theron is chief photographer at ForAfrika. She has found her life’s passion in the humanitarian space, sharing stories through her lens
