The
continuing emergency situation in cyclone-hit Madagascar exemplifies
a smooth operation by the International Federation, the Malagasy
Red Cross Society and the Emergency response units working together
efficiently.
As five consecutive cyclones rammed the Indian Ocean island
off Africa’s East Coast, the International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies responded immediately
to the flooding and destruction by providing CHF185,000 from
its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the Malagasy
Red Cross Society. This contribution was followed by an emergency
appeal for a total of nearly two million Swiss francs, enabling
the Federation to assist the Malagasy Red Cross in relief operations
targeting 60,000 persons.
This is through the provision of food and non-food items to
minimize outbreaks of water-borne diseases promote hygiene and
healthy practices and strengthen MRCS capacity. In addition,
with the Federation support, the Malagasy Red Cross Society
has created an operational alliance with the UNICEF and World
Food Programme in order to harmonize the management of the available
relief stocks in the zones.
“Overall, the operation is going smoothly, not least to
the admirable efforts by the Malagasy Red Cross volunteers,”
says Youcef Ait-Chellouche, the Federation’s disaster
magement coordinator in Nairobi returning from Madagascar. “The
response to the emergency appeal has been good and we have established
a close and productive relationship with both the Malagasy national
disaster management body and other agencies working on the ground.”
Cyclone Indlala hit the north-eastern coast of the Indian Ocean
island of Madagascar on Thursday, 15 March 2007. With strong
winds of up to 200 km/h, the cyclone ravaged the immediate area
in its path (mainly Maraontsetra) and left considerable damage
on the northeast and North West region. Cyclone Indlala was
the fifth cyclone to hit Madagascar in a spate of a few months
– the first time that the island had been struck by so
many cyclones in such a short period.
Seasonal rains have been made worse by the Inter-Tropical Convergence
Zone (ITCZ) moving slightly south, resulting in continuous rains
- from the end of December 2006 to the present moment - and
resultant flooding. Most recently, Cyclone Jaya hit Madagascar
on 3 April 2007 causing further damage and displacement –
but Jaya did not make significant impact compared to Indlala
because vulnerable groups had already lost all their belongings
during successive cyclone passages and related floods.
According to assessment conducted by the Malagasy government,
126,017 people were severely affected and in need of immediate
assistance. Some 13,066 houses were completely destroyed, 91
public building damaged (including 29 schools), 35 bridges damaged,
over 35,000 hectares of rice paddies and 12,006 ha of other
crops destroyed. The Maraontsetra area, which is Madagascar’s
traditional productive farming area, was hardest hit, with 60,000
people affected. In addition, 80 percent of vanilla plantations,
the country’s main export earner, were destroyed.
Strengthening the capacity of the MRCS is one of the main objectives
in managing this emergency operation. A regional disaster response
team was sent in during the first days and is expected to continue
with the distributions and support to the MRCS operation for
a period of six months, as well as helping train volunteers,
refine the selection of beneficiaries and offer coordination
and support to the MRCS in the targeted districts.
An operations coordinator has been identified and deployed to
the operation in time for a smooth handing over process from
the Federation’s international FACT team which is preparing
to make an exit. Additionally, the Malagasy Red Cross Society
is working towards developing a solid training module for regional
coordinators from Sofia, Sava, Diana and Analanjirofo regions
in Community Based First Aid (CBFA), Disaster Preparedness,
Movement principles and governance.
The MRCS has extensive presence in all the affected areas, namely
Analalava, Antsohihy, Befandriana, Mampikony, Mandritsara and
Port-Berger and with a volunteer base of 1,000 who are ready
for deployments around Sofia region. This advantage enables
swift distribution of relief items and opens an avenue for inter
agency coordination. Crisis groups are frequently created to
boost coordination and efficiency during emergency responses.
Two Emergency Response Unit (ERU) teams have also been deployed
in the North West of Madagascar to provide assistance in stocks
management and distributions. These teams include a Logistics
unit from the French Red Cross and a relief unit with delegates
from the American Red Cross and Benelux Red Cross Partnership.
The two ERUs are based at Antsohihy. The French Logistics ERU
is in charge of management of stocks coming from various humanitarian
agencies, including food items from the WFP and non-food items
from UNICEF and the Federation. The American-lead relief ERU
is in charge of beneficiary selection and distribution of relief
supplies to more than 110 villages, many of which are particularly
isolated and vulnerable, in the affected area in collaboration
with community leaders.
|
 |
 |
|
|
The
flooding following the cyclones that battered Madagascar
was immense. (p15671)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
A
group of Malagasy Red Cross volunteers take off with supplies
for people who had lost everything. (p15668)
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Distribution
of mosquito nets and blankets to people who lost their
homes in the flooding. (p15670)
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Finally
safe – an extended family and friends in a dry tent
set up by the Malagasy Red Cross. (p15669)
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Youcef
Ait-Chellouche, the Federation’s disaster management
coordinator for Eastern Africa, confers with his counterpart
in Madagascar. (p15667)
|
|
News
