The WMO estimates that the storm has "generated about as much accumulated cyclone energy as an average full North Atlantic hurricane season." "Freddy holds the record for most accumulated cyclone energy (ACE)-a measure based on a storm's wind strength over its lifetime-of any storm in the Southern Hemisphere and possibly worldwide," Al Jazeera reported. Torrential downpours, destructive winds, and storm surges have also pummeled Northeast Zimbabwe and Southeast Zambia. The storm then looped around and hit Mozambique again on Saturday before moving inland to Malawi. "The immediate humanitarian impact and longer-term economic implications for Mozambique are enormous."Īccording to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Freddy may be the longest-lasting tropical cyclone in recorded history.Īfter developing off the coast of Australia on February 6, the cyclone crossed the entire South Indian Ocean, traveling nearly 5,000 miles before making landfall in Madagascar and Mozambique in late February. "Large swaths of land are underwater, and roads are not passable-making it difficult for aid workers to carry out assessments," he added. "This situation calls for the world's biggest polluters like TotalEnergies to commit to significantly lowering their greenhouse gas emissions."ĭujarric noted that the agency is "worried about the impact of heavy rains and flooding" in Mozambique, which is also grappling with a cholera outbreak. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said that "we are mobilizing additional teams, but difficult weather conditions have hampered rescue efforts." resident coordinator in Malawi, said Tuesday that Freddy has "created an unprecedented crisis" in the country, where the health sector "is already overwhelmed by the worst cholera outbreak in two decades."Īs Al Jazeera reported, "Malawi last year reported cases of cholera after Cyclone Anna battered the south of the country causing extensive infrastructure damage and disruption of water and sanitation systems." Of particular concern is shoring up water and sanitation infrastructure to prevent the further spread of cholera. The agency has rescued dozens of people and delivered medical supplies, food, shelter, and other necessities. The United Nations and its partners have ramped up emergency support this week. "We express our sympathies to the communities and partners affected by this disaster and call on humanitarian agencies to move with speed to save lives," he added. ![]() Nintereste also urged "wealthy nations and development finance institutions such as the African Development Bank to deliver climate finance to help the most affected build resilience to impacts of the climate crisis." "This situation calls for the world's biggest polluters like TotalEnergies to commit to significantly lowering their greenhouse gas emissions," said Ninteretse, who specifically called on Total's French executives to abandon the company's $20 billion fracked gas project in Mozambique. ![]() None - a Wednesday statement, regional director Landry Ninteretse said, "Disasters such as these are further evidence of the injustice suffered by the nations that contribute least to the climate crisis, as they bear the brunt of the crisis by way of worsening climate impacts."
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