Madagascar is reporting over 70 deaths, more than 239,000 people affected and 148,000 without shelter following Cyclones Fame and Ivan.

from African Science

In the capital alone almost 20,000 people are affected by the flooding due to the latest cyclone, Ivan. An estimated 47,000 are children under five years old.

The risk of diseases such as diarrhoea, respiratory infections and malaria are becoming increasingly threatening in many regions.

According to a Press Statement from UNICEF on the situation, thousands of Malagasy children are deprived of their rights: without shelter, food, healthcare, safe drinking water and schooling.

UNICEF is currently mobilising resources to support the Government of Madagascar, through the National Office for Disaster Risk Management, in line with the scale of damage caused.

More than 239,000 people are affected by the cyclones in Madagascar that hit Amparafaravola in the region of Alaotra Mangoro, Tamatave and Antananarivo hard.

“Emergencies considerably weaken the survival mechanisms of the most vulnerable families in a country where around seven out of ten people live in poverty”, Bruno Maes, UNICEF area Representative for Madagascar, Mauritius and Comoros told Africa Science News Service adding that UNICEF is supporting the health sector by supporting the efforts of the Ministry of Health, Family Planning and Social Protection.

It has made medicines available to treat 60,000 people with diarrhoea, and other essential medicines for 9,000 people.

This week, more than 6,000 households will receive two blankets each, and 2,160 households will benefit from insecticide-treated mosquito nets to prevent the risk of malaria.

In addition, to prevent the risk of diarrhea and other diseases linked to a lack of safe drinking water and poor access to hygiene facilities, UNICEF and partners have distributed water, hygiene and sanitation kits to the worst affected regions.

In Madagascar’s capital city, Antananarivo, approximately 5,000 displaced families were provided Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) kits including buckets, cups, jerry cans and soap.

Seven temporary accommodation shelters were equipped with mobile latrines (separate for men and women), hand washing facilities and showers.

Distribution of WASH kits is also ongoing targeting 2,000 families in Alaotra Mangoro and says distribution of kits to another 29,000 families will begin Friday.

Behaviour change communication supports have also been developed to prevent the risks of malaria, respiratory infections and hygiene-related diseases.

Throughout the country, an estimated over 500 classrooms have been destroyed and thousands of children remain out of school.

In addition, 25 tents that are be used as provisional school structures, have been installed and plastic sheeting will be distributed in Tamatave during this week to assist communities in setting up temporary learning spaces.