UN issues flash appeal for cyclone-ravaged Madagascar
The United Nations today launched a flash appeal for $8.7 million of urgent relief aid for more than 300,000 people affected by the worst cyclone to strike Madagascar in 20 years.
"The international community must respond before people fall victim to poor sanitation, lack of food, or exposure to the elements," Jan Egeland, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, said, urging that donors quickly come forward with support. "We have a small window of opportunity now to help people and lay the foundations for their recovery."
Cyclone Gafilo, which hit the impoverished Indian Ocean island off the southern African coast twice in the last 10 days, killed 74 people and damaged more than 117,000 hectares of agriculturally productive land. Initial estimates suggest some 200 schools and an equal number of health centres were also damaged or destroyed. The Government estimates the cyclone's total impact at more than $250 million.
The appeal is designed to meet the immediate requirements of the most affected population for the next three months, with the UN World Food Programme (WFP) seeking $5.6 million to feed up to 110,000 people in the period ahead.
The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) is appealing for about $1.7 million for water and sanitation needs, children's nutrition, and shelter, blankets and educational supplies. UNICEF will also try to ensure that children are inoculated against measles and other diseases and that people have access to malaria prevention and treatment.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), in partnership with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), is seeking $1.1 million for seeds to enable farmers to replant as soon as possible while the UN World Health Organization (WHO) needs $106,000 for urgent medical supplies and facilities. The UN Development Programme (UNDP) needs $69,900 to reinforce the government's capacity to coordinate relief.
An earlier cyclone, Elita, had already hit Madagascar several times between 26 January and 4 February, leaving 29 people dead, 100 injured and nearly 45,000 homeless.
The vast island is prone to natural disasters including endemic drought in the south as well as and recurrent cyclones and annual flooding affecting most other regions.