Cyclone Kenneth hit the coast of northern Mozambique April 25, 2019. It’s the second cyclone to plague the country this year, with cyclone Idai having torn through the centre of the nation only six weeks earlier in mid-March.

Cyclone Idai alone took over 1,000 lives, displaced hundreds of thousands, and more recently, a cholera outbreak has affected 4,000 others.

In the past decades, Food for the Hungry (FH) has been working in the affected area to graduate communities from poverty. This is one of the reasons FH was immediately involved in relief efforts. Immediately after Idai landed, FH mobilized with boots on the ground assessing the damage and communicating needs to its international partners.

Soon after, FH began food distribution in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP). This would help alleviate the initial need for food as many farms, gardens, livestock, and other food sources have been wiped out by the cyclone. De-worming tablets were also distributed to combat malnutrition and alleviate food security issues for the cyclone victims. 

Aerial view of mass flooding in Beira, only a few days after Idai struck. Food security is expected to be an ongoing challenge in Mozambique which is why Food for the Hungry has partnered with Medair on food distribution initiatives in affected regions.

FH has been working with Medical Teams international (MTI) as they develop a health proposal to take care of the medical needs of the injured and displaced in the long weeks ahead.

Farther north, cyclone Kenneth - a Category 4 storm - has killed over 40 and the resulting floods have displaced thousands more. The cyclone has brought with it heavy rains that are forecast to last weeks. FH has only a minor presence in the area of Mozambique where cyclone Kenneth landed; nevertheless, FH is extending its expertise to help assess where needs are highest and organizing relief aid for families in the north as well. Ongoing efforts in this region of Mozambique include water, sanitation, and nutrition initiatives.

Please continue to pray for the people affected by cyclone Idai and Kenneth in Mozambique. As well, continue to lift up FH staff and other partner organizations on the ground there.

Emergency Response