In a statement released, the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR said that tropical Cyclone Chido had "devastated communities in [Mozambique's] Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces."

"The storm destroyed homes, displaced thousands, and severely damaged roads and communication networks, hampering relief efforts in areas already hosting large numbers of forcibly displaced people."

Northern parts of Mozambique have been dealing with an Islamist insurgency for years, which has forced thousands to abandon their homes in search of safety.

"Within the first 48 hours, UNHCR provided assistance at the largest accommodation center in Pemba, the capital of Cabo Delgado, where more than 2,600 people received emergency relief and essential items such as blankets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets, and emergency shelter supplies," the statement further highlighted.

Nearly 200,000 in need of aid

UNHCR spokesperson Eujin Byun had already said at a press briefing in Geneva last week that (w)hile the full extent of the damage in rural areas remains unclear, preliminary assessments suggest that around 190,000 people urgently need humanitarian assistance, 33 schools have been affected and nearly 10,000 homes were destroyed."

"In some villages, very few houses remain standing. Years of conflict, forced displacement and economic hardship have left communities in the region increasingly vulnerable. For many displaced families, Cyclone Chido has caused renewed hardship, washing away what little they had managed to rebuild," Byun had stressed.

Refugees from and in other countries also affected

Byun also explained that foreign nationals in northern Mozambique were largely unaffected by the events of recent days.

"In Nampula, while some districts were affected, the more than 8,000 refugees, mainly from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi, residing in Maratane camp experienced minimal damage, suggesting that recent efforts to build climate-resilient housing were effective," Byun said.

However, the cyclone had devastating effects across the entire region, with refugees and migrants in Mayotte suffering more than others, where many people failed to seek shelter.

"Cyclone Chido caused significant devastation in Mayotte, a French overseas territory, resulting in fatalities, infrastructure damage, and increased risks for vulnerable communities, including asylum-seekers and refugees. UNHCR is actively monitoring the situation and coordinating with local partners," Byun noted.

In southern Malawi, meanwhile the storm "brought strong winds and rains leading to destruction of houses and infrastructure in several areas. UNHCR has pre-positioned shelter kits to support the Government-led response," Byun added.