Climate change and conflict: Cyclone Chido demands many victims in Mozambique

Climate change and conflict: Cyclone Chido demands many victims in Mozambique

Quitunda, Mosambik - The devastating effects of the tropical vertebral storm "Chido" on the Southeast African Mozambique are alarming. In the province of Cabo Delgado, which already suffers from significant economic problems, hundreds of thousands were hit by the winds of over 220 km/h. Houses, food supplies and even schools were destroyed, while Sister Aparecida Queiroz from Missio Austria said in a call: "We urgently ask for support so that we can provide emergency accommodation, building materials and other vital goods." The storm not only caused material damage, but also demanded between 45 and 60 lives, whereby the count may continue to increase, according to Kathpress's report. Missio Austria reports that the electricity and water supply is already at the limit.

a desperate struggle for survival

At the same time, people in Cabo Delgado experience the devastating consequences of another conflict. Armed groups that are known as al-shabab are active in the city of Palma. They fight for supposed justice, but their brutal approach only leads to further destruction and fear. Awa Salama, a resident of Palma, narrowly escaped one of her attacks in 2021. "The fighters are coming!" She heard the screams of the neighbors, while she fled with her children into the forest, like Al Jazera"> reported. Since then the situation has not improved, on the contrary. With the progress of the gas project of total energy, the situation only becomes more complicated. Many residents report attacks not only through the militant groups, but also by state forces that they should protect. "It is life -threatening," says Adriano Nvunga from the Center for Democracy and Human Rights, which describes the local situation.

The connection between the gas project and the violent conflicts is obvious. While large sums are invested in order to promote the wealth of the country, residents suffer from the ongoing uncertainty and the possibly coming human rights violations. The upcoming restart of the project harbors the risk of reinforcing existing tensions and violence, while total energy is striving to return to normality. "We urgently ask that the security situation and the well -being of people will not be lost sight of in future investments," says NVUNGA.