Madagascar: Tropical Cyclone Gamane Flash Update No. 2, 4 April 2024

HIGHLIGHTS

• The Government declared a national emergency situation, on 3 April, following the passage of the Tropical Cyclone (TS) Gamane, that hit the north and northeast of Madagascar on 27 March. It reportedly killed 18 people, injured three and left four people missing. About 535,000 people living in the 33 flooded communes have been affected including about 22,000 displaced, most of whom were sheltered in temporary sites. Humanitarian partners aim to reach 165,000 people out 220,000 in need with urgent humanitarian assistance.

• More than 18,830 houses have been flooded and more than 780 have been damaged or destroyed. About 22 health centres have been damaged and 165 classrooms have been affected, resulting in about 24,121 children having no access to schools.

• The available emergency relief stocks in the affected region are alarmingly low, having been used during the Alvaro storm in January and flood response in February. Humanitarian partners are calling for additional funds to support aid transfer to the affected areas via air or sea due to the damage affecting the roads and bridges.

• Following the aerial assessment mission on 30 March, the identified urgent needs include food, water treatment products and agricultural supplies in addition to disinfecting wells and flooded schools, cleaning up damaged rural roads, strengthening surveillance systems for epidemic diseases and the nutritional situation, restocking diarrhoea medicines, providing free basic health care services, and repairing houses and schools affected by the floods. Logistic support, by air and sea, is required to support the response.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

The Government declared a national emergency situation, on 3 April, following the passage of the Tropical Storm Gamane weather system, the third system affecting Madagascar since January, brought storms and floods to Sava, Analanjirofo, and Diana regions, in the north and northeast on 27 March. Eighteen people reportedly died, three were injured and four people were reported missing. About 535,000 people living in the 33 flooded communes, in three regions, have been affected including about 22,000 displaced, most of whom were sheltered in temporary sites while some moved in with family members as of 29 March, according to estimations from a joint aerial assessment conducted by humanitarian partners and the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC). Humanitarian partners aim to reach 165,000 people out 220,000 in need of assistance with urgent humanitarian assistance.

More than 18,830 houses have been flooded and more than 780 have been damaged or destroyed. About 22 health centres have been damaged and 135 classrooms have been affected, resulting in about 24,121 children having no access to schools. The road connecting the northeast region with the Capital City, Antananarivo, is cut off in several areas. Electricity supply has been disrupted or suspended until the flood water has receded in the cities of Vohemar, Sambava, and Maroantsetra.