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​The devastating cyclone that hit south-eastern Africa may be the worst ever disaster to strike the southern hemisphere, according to the UN. 

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Idai is possibly the worst weather-related disaster to hit the southern hemisphere, with 1.7 million people in the storm’s path in Mozambique and 920,000 people affected in Malawi alone. The disaster has also devastated parts of neighbouring Zimbabwe, leaving hundreds of thousands of people displaced across the region.

On 19 March, the confirmed death toll from Cyclone Idai and related floods has risen to 474 in the three countries and is feared to significantly increase over the coming days. President Nyusi of Mozambique said that Cyclone Idai may have killed more than 1,000 people in Mozambique alone and that hundreds of thousands of lives are currently at risk. He appealed for international humanitarian support. The Presidents of Zimbabwe and Malawi have also made a disaster declaration for affected areas, with the latter asking for international support.

In Mozambique, at least 600,000 people are affected across five provinces (69 districts). Cyclone Idai destroyed as much as 90% of Beira City, the fourth largest city in Mozambique with a population of 530,000 people. As much as three-fourths of the population in the affected areas live below the poverty line and are therefore socially vulnerable. Health risks are of great concern. There is no water supply in the town and risks of disease outbreaks are mounting. Beira is also a key entry point for food and other goods for central Mozambique, as well as Zimbabwe and Malawi, which are both landlocked.

In Malawi, the cyclone impacted more than 922,900 people, according to the Government, with 56 deaths and 577 injuries recorded as of 18 March, exacerbating an already precarious situation given the flooding earlier in March. Due to the prolonged heavy rains, many houses have collapsed, and affected people are seeking shelter in schools (which will affect learner accessing education), churches and other camps. Agriculture fields have been washed away as well as small livestock. 

The numbers of affected population is likely to increase as the rainfall is continuing and more houses are likely to collapse. Drones and boats have been deployed to assist with search and rescue.

In Zimbabwe, with heavy rains ongoing in Manicaland and Masvingo provinces of Zimbabwe the hardest-hit district of Chimanimani remains inaccessible as heavy rains have damaged roads and main access bridges have been washed away. As of 18 March, at least 98 deaths and over 200 injuries have been reported, mainly in Chimanimani, with hundreds more reportedly missing.
The disaster is expected to exacerbate the impact of the recent drought in Zimbabwe, which damaged crops and left 5.3 million people in need of food aid this year.