Cyclone Chidu and Vanuatu earthquake leave devastation in their wake

Written by Priya Burkholz

Over the weekend, Tropical Cyclone Chido tore through the Mayotte Archipelago, Comoros and Mozambique on the southeastern coast of Africa, causing catastrophic damage and loss of life. Just days later, a 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck the Pacific island of Vanuatu, compounding a difficult week of natural disasters for communities already facing significant vulnerabilities.

Hurricane Chido is described as the strongest storm to hit Mayotte in more than 90 years. The French overseas department, located between Madagascar and Mozambique, was hit by winds exceeding 140 mph and storm waves reaching 28 feet high, obliterating entire neighborhoods, especially informal settlements housing illegal immigrants. While the official death toll in Mayotte currently stands at 22, casualty estimates already run into the thousands and are expected to rise as assessments continue.

In neighboring Comoros, Cyclone Chido produced similarly damaging winds and torrential rains, leaving widespread devastation throughout the island chain. Comoros President Gazali Ousmani declared a week of mourning for the lives lost, noting that the country's infrastructure had suffered “enormous” damage. Mozambique, already vulnerable to extreme weather, faced the full force of Cyclone Chido when the storm made landfall in Cabo Delgado province. Winds of more than 160 mph and heavy rain damaged homes, infrastructure and health facilities across the region.

Direct Relief is assessing the needs of affected communities. In Mayotte, the organization is reaching out to French emergency first responder agencies to address opportunities to support urgent healthcare needs. In Comoros, Direct Relief is working with its long-standing partner Sante Diabète, a French NGO focused on diabetes prevention and care, to assess the situation and provide support. Outreach continues with the Ministry of Health in Mozambique, with Direct Relief providing emergency medical supplies and logistical support as the damage assessment is completed.

Meanwhile, in the Pacific Ocean, the island nation of Vanuatu was hit by a powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake. Although damage assessments are still ongoing, reports indicate widespread destruction to homes, public infrastructure and healthcare facilities, with aftershocks continuing to pose risks. Direct Relief has begun coordinating with healthcare partners in Vanuatu to identify the most urgent needs and provide assistance, with a shipment of emergency medicines and medical supplies on its way to the island nation this week.

Why do these disasters pose such a great risk to human health?

Disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes pose immediate and long-term threats to human health. Severe storms and earthquakes often cause mass casualties, trauma injuries, and infrastructure collapses that can overwhelm local health systems. In the aftermath, communities face additional risks:

Disease outbreaks: Floods caused by hurricanes contaminate water sources, increasing the spread of cholera, malaria, and other waterborne diseases. Displacement: The destruction of homes and healthcare facilities forces people into overcrowded shelters with limited sanitation, increasing the risk of infectious diseases. Chronic health disorders: Access to care for chronic diseases, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, is often interrupted, putting vulnerable individuals at risk. Maternal and child health: Pregnant women and infants are particularly at risk when health services are disrupted, as access to emergency obstetric care becomes more difficult.

Direct Relief is working to address these challenges by ensuring that essential medical supplies, from trauma kits to vaccines, reach healthcare providers on the front lines.

Direct Relief's ongoing commitment to disaster response

Direct Relief has a long history of responding to some of the world's most devastating natural disasters, ensuring vital medical resources reach those in need. Following Cyclone Idai in 2019, the organization delivered more than 100 tons of medical aid to Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi. In Vanuatu, Direct Relief has supported health systems for years, providing emergency medical supplies after cyclones and earthquakes. By allocating resources in advance and partnering with front-line healthcare providers, Direct Relief ensures communities get the timely medical help they need when disasters strike.

Earthquakes:

In Turkey and Syria, following the catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake in February 2023, Direct Relief delivered more than 1,000 tons of medical aid, including field medical kits, trauma supplies, and cold chain vaccines to frontline responders. Direct Relief has also provided grants to support health facilities and organizations leading recovery efforts. After the 2015 Nepal earthquake, which killed thousands and destroyed infrastructure, Direct Relief collaborated with local health care providers to provide emergency medical supplies, including essential medications and equipment for trauma care. Following the 2010 Haiti earthquake, one of the deadliest in modern history, Direct Relief provided more than $70 million in medical assistance, supported health organizations in Haiti and helped rebuild clinics and hospitals.

Hurricanes, tornadoes and tornadoes: Â

In 2019, Cyclones Idai and Kenneth tore through Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi, destroying homes, crops and health facilities, and causing a massive cholera outbreak. Direct Relief provided more than 100 tons of emergency medical assistance, focusing on trauma care, infectious disease prevention, and maternal health. Direct Relief also provided analytical support to the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health of Mozambique for the cholera vaccination campaign in Pemba. After Hurricane Dorian devastated the Bahamas in 2019, Direct Relief delivered medical supplies to clinics and hospitals, helping local providers care for displaced and injured residents. In 2013, when Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines – one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded – Direct Relief immediately responded with emergency shipments of medical aid and long-term support to rebuild health systems in affected areas. Direct Relief also has an ongoing hurricane preparedness program that pre-positions medical supplies in at-risk areas ahead of hurricane and typhoon seasons, including the Caribbean, Gulf Coast, Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

Through these efforts, Direct Relief has provided billions of dollars in medical assistance and partnered with local organizations to rebuild health care systems, ensuring that disaster-affected communities have access to essential care during emergencies and throughout recovery.

As the effects of Cyclone Chido and the Vanuatu earthquake continue to be felt, Direct Relief remains committed to supporting healthcare providers on the ground, helping communities recover, and ensuring life-saving medical care reaches those who need it most.

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