The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has announced nearly $1 million in emergency funding to Mozambique to mitigate the impact of Cyclone Freddy and subsequent flooding on malaria programs in southern provinces of the country.

The devastation caused by the storm increased the risk of malaria transmission, particularly for displaced populations, due to an increase in stagnant water bodies that become mosquito breeding sites, the washing away of insecticide in recently sprayed houses, and the loss of mosquito nets. Cyclone Freddy has displaced more than 184,000 people, who have sought shelter in accommodation centers across the affected districts. As part of the emergency response, the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative (LSDI) will implement a larvicide spray campaign close to displacement centers, focusing on areas with standing water that remain even after the flood waters recede.

“More than 22,000 people died from malaria in Mozambique in 2021,” said Global Fund executive director Peter Sands. “Based on similar events, we know that the flooding brought by the cyclone has resulted in surging malaria infections. Once again, we see how climate change affects people—particularly those who are already vulnerable. It sparks extreme weather events, such as cyclones, which in turn fuel deadly diseases, such as malaria.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Bignai)