Rising from the Storm: How Mozambique’s Women (and Men) are Rebuilding Lives After Cyclone Idai

When Cyclone Idai made landfall in 2019, it swept through central Mozambique with force, destroying homes, livelihoods, and displacing many. The intensity of Cyclone Idai has been linked to climate change, with warmer ocean temperatures fueling more powerful storms worldwide. Idai not only brought devastation but also unexpectedly connected the lives of Luiza and Maria. 

  Luiza, a single mother of three, lost her home as Idai's winds tore through her community. "I was at home with my children when the wind began," she recalls. "I grabbed them, and we ran to the neighbors. As we left, the house collapsed behind us. We couldn’t save anything—no dishes, no clothes—everything was gone."

Maria, meanwhile, was pregnant with her daughter Gabriela when the cyclone struck. “I had never seen winds like that. The water was up to my belly—we were terrified,” she says. Although her house was damaged, Maria's family managed to repair it. Luiza and her children, however, had nowhere to go. They took refuge in a neighbor’s modest but welcoming home, a space that became their shelter for the next five years. “They took us in when we had nothing," Luiza says with gratitude. "We survived because of their kindness." 

Maria worked as a domestic helper. But she found herself drawn to rebuilding efforts, stepping into the male-dominated field of construction. Today, she mixes cement, measures sand, and climbs scaffolding alongside other workers. “I say it’s a miracle,” she reflects on her transition from household chores to construction sites. Her family doubted her at first; even her mother questioned if she could handle what was seen as “men’s work.” But Maria was determined, responding, "It’s not just men’s work—women can do it too." 

For Luiza, life after the cyclone has been an uphill battle. She washes clothes for a living, piecing together a modest income as she rebuilds her stability. But a recent twist of fate has changed her outlook: she was selected to receive a new home—a core, disaster-resilient house, constructed by none other than Maria and a team of local artisans.  

Maria's path to construction was helped along by on-the-job training facilitated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Having learned the basics from her father, she adapted quickly, mastering her skills through hands-on experience. "When I got here, I just asked for a little guidance, and soon I could work on my own," she says. Her favorite part? "Laying the cement, measuring the sand, handing out nails—it makes me feel alive." 

With each house she completes, Maria feels pride and purpose, knowing her work helps families rebuild their lives. “I feel happy because people now have some certainty. They suffered so much,” she says. Watching these homes rise from the ground fills her with accomplishment. "We started from scratch, and now there’s a complete house in front of me. We’ve finished." 

As Luiza receives the keys to her new home, her face lights up. “We have our own place now,” she says. And every evening, when Maria returns home from her work, her daughter Gabriela greets her by putting on her mothers’ uniform and saying, “Mom, I want to work in construction too.” 

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.