Damage caused by Cyclone Freddy to the city of Quelimane, in Zambézia province, in 2023 is estimated at between US$400 million and US$600 million, according to Quelimane Municipal Council President Manuel de Araújo. More than three years on, the municipality continues to face severe financial constraints in rebuilding destroyed infrastructure.

According to newspaper O País, Araújo said the damage remains visible across the city, affecting schools, hospitals, bridges, and private sector facilities.

"The damage caused by Cyclone Freddy to public and private infrastructure in our city is estimated at between 400 and 600 million dollars," Manuel de Araújo said.

The municipal president was speaking on Monday, 19 October, on the sidelines of a meeting under the "Making Cities Resilient 2030" programme, organised by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) in partnership with German development cooperation.

During the event, Manuel de Araújo called for the mobilisation of national and international financing to support reconstruction efforts and strengthen municipalities' capacity to prevent and respond to natural disasters.

Araújo also referenced the effects of Cyclone Idai, which struck the city of Beira in 2019, arguing that both events highlight the financial limitations municipalities face when attempting to recover damaged infrastructure.

The meeting brings together municipal representatives from Uganda, Mauritius, Namibia, Egypt, and Kenya, with the aim of improving project preparation and facilitating access to international financing.

UNDRR Programme Management Officer Isabel Njihia clarified that the organisation's role is primarily technical, helping municipalities identify funding sources and prepare applications.

"We want municipalities to leave here with enough knowledge to develop projects and approach international financing bodies to attract investment," she said.

The initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of African municipalities to secure resources for disaster prevention, climate adaptation, and the recovery of affected infrastructure.