Hope under a broken roof: Strengthening Homes and Futures in Cyclone-Stricken Beira

Laurinha Canivete, a 66-year-old farmer, has faced loss and hardship that few could imagine. She had four children, but only two are still alive. Now, she cares for two grandchildren.  

When Cyclone Idai hit, Laurinha lost everything. Her home was destroyed, and she and her family were left to rebuild their lives from the scraps of their former home. “We managed to recover some of the chapa (tin roofing) that flew away," she says. "With a few bricks here and there, we’ve built a makeshift house." For now, this humble structure is home to Laurinha along with her son, his wife, and their baby girl.

The cyclone didn’t just take away her house. Laurinha also lost her possessions, including her sleeping mats, and now she rests on old sacks. When it rains, the water seeps into the makeshift shelter. "I wrap my clothes in plastic bags and place them on blocks inside,” she explains. "It’s impossible to sleep, I stand to avoid getting wet." 

Life in the "machambas", where Laurinha cultivates rice, has also changed. The once reliable rains have become unpredictable, and harvests are a fraction of what they used to be. “This year, I was able to harvest only one can of rice,” she says. The rains come late, if at all. "In the time of the colony, we worked hard, but at least the weather was predictable." 

Age and back problems have made it difficult for Laurinha to continue farming as she once did. But she doesn’t stop. She still gathers wood to sell at the market, doing what she can to make ends meet.  

Her voice carries both hope and exhaustion. She is one of the lucky families selected to receive a new core house. She dreams of the simplest of comforts: a dry place to sleep. “If I had a drum, I’d play to celebrate the joy I am feeling right now of having a house that stays dry when it rains,” she says.

For Laurinha, rebuilding has been a long process, but her resilience and love for her family helps her to keep going. Every day is a step forward in the long recovery from Cyclone Idai, even if the challenges are far from over. 

The Government of Mozambique, through GREPOC and World Bank funding, has tasked IOM with implementing the "Recovery of Housing" project, aimed at assisting 6,682 vulnerable families in the city of Beira, Sofala province. In coordination with UN-Habitat and the Beira Municipality, this initiative helps communities affected by Cyclone Idai and subsequent cyclones and floods since 2019 to rebuild their homes using stronger, more durable materials.   

Local artisans are trained in resilient construction techniques, ensuring homes are better prepared for future climate shocks. The project emphasizes community involvement by providing essential materials and technical support, while also building local capacity for long-term recovery. By reinforcing homes and empowering artisans, the initiative fosters sustainable recovery and strengthens the resilience of Beira’s most vulnerable communities.