In March 2025, Cyclone Jude wreaked havoc across East Africa, severely impacting Madagascar, Mozambique, and Malawi. The cyclone displaced over 10,000 individuals in Madagascar alone, leaving countless families without shelter and basic necessities. In response to this humanitarian crisis, local partners in Madagascar, including Lalena, a dedicated member of the Lions Club, led a team of more than twenty volunteers to provide essential aid to the affected communities.
LEFT: Cyclone Jude made its second landfall in Madagascar on March 15, severely impacting the southern regions of the country and displacing over 10,000 people. RIGHT: Tzu Chi collaborated with local governments in Madagascar to deliver essential supplies to affected communities and worked to ensure the safety of residents' homes. | Photos: Tzu Chi Foundation
From March 16 to April 5, these volunteers conducted five distribution phases, delivering rice to over 1,200 households. Families with up to four members received ten kilograms of rice, while larger households were allocated twenty kilograms. This initiative ensured that thousands of residents had access to a critical food supply during their time of need.
On March 11, Mozambique was struck by Cyclone Jude, bringing unprecedented rainfall that resulted in two hundred and fifty millimeters of rain in a single day. This deluge forced approximately 1,985 people to seek refuge in nine shelters across the Nampula province, including 211 Tzu Chi volunteers who were caught in the disaster.
The flooding in the Island of Mozambique significantly heightened the risk of infectious diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, and malaria, posing an acute threat to the health and well-being of the population. In collaboration with the World Food Programme, Dino Foi led Tzu Chi volunteers to work tirelessly in distributing comprehensive food packages to over 7,000 households. These packages included not only rice and beans but also cooking oil, corn flour, peanuts, and salt, addressing both immediate and medium-term nutritional needs.
Distributions held on the Island of Mozambique, Nampula Province, benefited 7,031 families. Taking advantage of the religious holiday of Good Friday, all beneficiaries were invited to participate in an exciting moment of collective prayer, before the start of distribution. |Photo: Tzu Chi Mozambique | 2025/09/18
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) highlighted the severe threats Cyclone Jude posed to children in Mozambique, emphasizing the urgent need for sustained aid to mitigate the disaster's long-term impacts. In response, Tzu Chi Foundation continued to collaborate closely with local governments and Non-Profit Organizations to ensure the safety of the local residents and the effective delivery of essential supplies to the most vulnerable populations.
On March 12, Malawi also faced the devastating effects of Cyclone Jude. Thirty-six local volunteers conducted assessments and prioritized the distribution of food packages, water purification tablets, and mosquito nets. These efforts aimed to prevent disease outbreaks and support survivors in rebuilding their homes and resuming agricultural activities.
The aid provided across Madagascar, Mozambique, and Malawi reflects a commitment to helping communities recover from Cyclone Jude. Volunteers continue to offer compassionate support, ensuring that those affected have the resources they need to rebuild their lives and regain stability.
Written by Yi-Ting Wang
