Humanitarian response to the worst cyclone in Mozambique's recent history — supporting affected communities in Beira, Nhamatanda and Buzi from 2019 to 2024. A 5-year journey from emergency relief to institutional advocacy.
On March 14–15, 2019, Cyclone IDAI made landfall in Beira with winds exceeding 195 km/h, becoming one of the worst climate disasters ever to hit the Southern Hemisphere. In Mozambique alone, the cyclone affected 2.2 million people and left more than 1,600 dead across three affected countries.
Days later, on April 25, 2019, Cyclone Kenneth struck northern Mozambique — the country's first-ever recorded double-cyclone season. The scale of devastation demanded rapid, coordinated action from every organization on the ground. ASADEC, headquartered in Beira, was directly in the epicenter.
Between 2019 and 2024, ASADEC delivered a comprehensive emergency response that grew into a 5-year advocacy and reconstruction program. Beyond immediate relief, the response contributed to Law 3/2014 on the Protection of the Rights of Elderly People, joined the INGD Social Protection Cluster, and laid the foundations for our current active program supporting elderly people in climate emergencies.
The context that shaped ASADEC's 5-year response to Mozambique's most catastrophic cyclone.
Cyclone IDAI hit Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi in March 2019 — the worst climate disaster in the Southern Hemisphere in recent decades. Over 1,600 deaths and 3 million people affected across the three countries.
The city of Beira was devastated by 195 km/h winds and severe flooding. Communities in Beira, Nhamatanda and Buzi faced total displacement, with 1.85 million children at risk across the country.
With headquarters in Beira, ASADEC was directly at the epicenter. We mobilized immediately alongside affected communities, coordinating with INGD and other humanitarian actors to deliver rapid, coordinated response.
Actions taken by ASADEC in response to Cyclone IDAI and Cyclone Kenneth.
Immediate mobilization to support communities affected by cyclones and floods in the days following the disaster.
Provide housing and food to 30 vulnerable families that lost everything in the disaster.
Join the National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD) Social Protection Cluster — a permanent commitment since 2019.
Contribute to Mozambique's Law 3/2014 — protection of the rights of the elderly, whose voice we amplified during the emergency.
Prioritize the elderly, children and other groups in situations of extreme vulnerability during humanitarian response.
Build ASADEC's institutional capacity to respond to future emergencies — a foundation that continues to bear fruit today.
Five years of continuous work supporting Sofala's most vulnerable communities.
Housing and food provided to 30 vulnerable families that lost everything in the disaster, ensuring dignified reconstruction.
More than 1,000 elderly people assisted during the emergency and recovery — bringing to concrete life the rights secured by Law 3/2014.
Continuous response in Beira, Nhamatanda and Buzi — the most affected districts by Cyclones IDAI and Kenneth.
From emergency in March 2019 to institutional consolidation in December 2024 — a sustained journey of impact.
Beyond emergency response, ASADEC's work during and after Cyclone IDAI contributed decisively to the strengthening of Law 3/2014 on the Protection of the Rights of Elderly People in Mozambique — one of the most important legislative frameworks for elderly rights in the country.
Documentation of the elderly's condition during the emergency
Institutional advocacy alongside authorities and partners
Amplification of vulnerable community voices
Foundation for our current active program supporting elderly people
The chronological journey of ASADEC's response — from emergency to institutional consolidation.
Cyclone IDAI hit Beira on March 14–15, 2019. Cyclone Kenneth followed on April 25 in northern Mozambique. ASADEC mobilized immediately for emergency response, joining the INGD Social Protection Cluster — a commitment that continues today.
Housing and food support delivered to 30 vulnerable families that lost everything in the disaster. Focus on dignified reconstruction and restoration of basic living conditions.
Documentation of the impact on vulnerable groups, especially the elderly. Advocacy alongside authorities for age-inclusive humanitarian response protocols — contributing to strengthening Law 3/2014 on elderly rights.
Consolidation of humanitarian partnerships including Start Network. Strengthening internal capacity to respond to future emergencies — a foundation that continues to bear fruit in current active programs.
More than 1,000 elderly assisted over these years. Ongoing follow-up with affected communities and strengthening protection networks at community level.
Program formally completed. Learnings and institutional capacity built during these 5 years now form the foundation of our current active program: "Flood Response — Building Resilience for the Elderly", in partnership with ASB.
This program formally ended in 2024 — but its impact continues in four concrete ways.
Contribution to Law 3/2014 that continues to protect the rights of elderly people in Mozambique.
Continuous membership of INGD Social Protection Cluster since 2019 — a permanent commitment to disaster response coordination.
Robust internal capacity to lead major humanitarian responses — knowledge and processes that continue serving new programs today.
The active program "Flood Response — Elderly" is a direct continuation of the learning acquired during the IDAI response.
Cyclone IDAI struck Mozambique on March 14–15, 2019, followed by Cyclone Kenneth on April 25, 2019 — the first-ever double-cyclone season recorded in the country.
Together, the cyclones caused catastrophic damage: over 1,600 deaths in the affected countries, 2.2 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in Mozambique alone, and 1.85 million children at risk across the region.
ASADEC's 5-year response reflects an unwavering commitment to the most vulnerable communities of Sofala Province — from emergency response through legislative advocacy that continues to safeguard rights today.
Age-inclusive climate emergency response — the natural continuation of IDAI learning.
Community-led monitoring of Mozambique's social subsidy program in Beira and Caia.
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