Tropical Storm Freddy deprives children of learning in Mozambique
The Mapinhane Primary School, located in a rural area of Inhambane, was seriously hit by tropical storm Freddy, leaving 1,218 children without classes.
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Vilanculos, INHAMBANE – “I’m sad that I will not be able to go to school. The storm destroyed the roof of my classroom and I’m afraid it will take a long time to rebuild,” said 12-year-old Nando João, seated inside his classroom that was destroyed by Tropical Storm Freddy, in the district of Vilanculos, in the province of Inhambane.
On Friday, 24th of February 2023, the intense tropical storm Freddy made landfall in Mozambique’s Inhambane province close to the district of Vilanculos, causing severe damage with its strong winds and heavy rain. Many buildings were damaged, such as the Nando’s Primary School of Mapinhane, depriving several children of learning.
The Mapinhane Primary School, located in a rural area of Inhambane, was seriously hit by tropical storm Freddy with eight classrooms destroyed and roofs blown off. This will deprive children of learning until repairs can be made.
A total of 1,218 children will be left without classes. We only have six classrooms undamaged, and we will be forced to have some students learning out in the open.
“A total of 1,218 children will be left without classes. We only have six classrooms undamaged, and we will be forced to have some students learning out in the open, under the trees, but only if the rain stops. If it continues, we will have to cancel classes and students will stay at home” said Miguel João, Director of the Mapinhane primary school.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is currently collaborating with the National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD), partners, and other United Nations agencies to assess the damage caused by the tropical storm and the flooding that is following it. Also, to make sure that children continue learning in a safe environment, UNICEF is mobilizing critical supplies like learners’ kits and tents to quickly set up quality temporary learning spaces to ensure uninterrupted education for the children in Mapinhane primary school and other affected schools in Inhambane province.
