Protecting Your Life from Cyclones in Mozambique

Jose Joaquim, a Mozambican builder, is determined to protect his family from the devastation of cyclones by constructing stronger houses. During Cyclone Idai five years ago, Joaquim, his wife, and their newborn baby were living in a shelter with flimsy corrugated iron roofing in the city of Beira. They experienced terror when the winds intensified and their roof blew away, followed by their door cracking in half. Realizing they needed to escape, they fought through the winds until they found safety in an evacuation center at a local school. Since then, Joaquim and others in the region have recognized the growing threat of stronger and more dangerous storms due to climate change. They have adapted by building resilient houses and learning safe evacuation methods. Joaquim studied civil engineering at the time of Cyclone Idai, but after surviving the disaster, he enrolled in a resilience construction course at Young Africa College. Now he teaches the course and uses his skills to build houses for others in his community, including his own family. These houses are designed to withstand extreme winds and heavy rains brought by cyclones. In collaboration with Young Africa, Joaquim assisted in building over 130 resilient houses for those who lost their homes during Cyclone Idai. In addition to constructing stronger houses, the local council in Beira has established disaster management committees to prepare communities for emergencies and ensure safe evacuations. One vulnerable area, Praia Nova, relies on these committees to evacuate residents during storms. Volunteers, such as Liria Charomar, work closely with the community during emergencies. Charomar emphasizes the importance of safe evacuations and the need to replant mangrove forests along the coast as a protective measure against intense winds. Despite their efforts, the people of Beira acknowledge that the solution to climate change lies beyond their shores. Mozambique contributes very little to greenhouse gas emissions, yet suffers the consequences of climate change. Residents express frustration towards countries with higher emission rates and plead for the freedom to live as they always have without the threat of devastating cyclones. As they face an uncertain future, the people of Beira will continue to adapt to climate change. Joaquim finds satisfaction in sharing his knowledge and being part of the solution. The desire to find solutions and work towards a better future is shared among the community.