UNICEF and UN CERF work together to support the needs of children and families affected by Gombe
UNICEF and UN CERF worked with water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) implementing partners to provide WASH services in accommodation and resettlement centres for children and families displaced by cyclone Gombe.
Nampula, Mozambique - On March 11, Tropical Cyclone Gombe entered Mozambique with winds and gusts of 165 and 230 km/h, respectively. The entry point was Mossuril, in Nampula province, at 2 AM, impacting the provinces of Nampula, Zambezia, and Sofala, and affecting more than 700,000 people, while more than 60 people lost their lives (INGD).
"I was at home with my 2-year-old son when the strong winds started. Around midnight I decided to come outside because the house was already starting to fall down. I was very scared, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to save my son. Since there was a school nearby I went there with my son. I need support because I lost everything I need to feed my children," said 20-year-old Benilda Beli, in the district of Monapo, who was severely affected by the cyclone.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) was quick to respond to the needs of thousands of children and families affected by Gombe and worked with the Mozambican government and partners to provide urgent life-saving assistance to children and their families in the affected areas.
UNICEF, with support from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), worked with water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) implementing partners to repair damaged water points and work with communities to rebuild their latrines and maintain basic hygiene practices. Minimum WASH services were provided in accommodation and resettlement centres, with water trucking, emergency latrine, and distribution of hygiene kits.
The response initially planned to benefit 6,000 people with access to safe water and 24,000 people using appropriate sanitation facilities.
