Political

Neither government nor non-government actions have undermined Madagascar's relative political quietude. While there was a parallel drop in cooperation compared to conflict in December 2006, this was directly tied to the presidential elections on 3 December 2006 (see graph). By January 2007 there was a return to normalcy. International events similarly rebounded as countries congratulated President Marc Ravalomanana on winning. President Ravalomanana used his new mandate to continue broadening Madagascar's ties, and donors saw the way clear to make new commitments.

With the imminent start of the planting season, the race is on to provide emergency assistance to more than 100,000 vulnerable flood victims in Mozambique currently in largely inaccessible sites.

Persistent heavy rainfall in central and northern Mozambique in January and February this year caused large-scale flooding and destruction in the Zambezi river basin which runs through four of the country's 10 provinces.

About 285,000 people were directly affected by the floods, with 163,000 of them displaced from their homes and land.

HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO CHILDREN AND WOMEN AFFECTED BY FLOODS, CYCLONES AND DISEASE OUTBREAKS

- Large populations have been affected by floods in Zambia and Mozambique, while up to 100,000 people still struggle to cope in the aftermath of cyclone Favio. UNICEF is responding to the needs of displaced children and women in the sectors water, health and education.

- UNICEF in Madagascar is coordinating with WFP, Government and other partners to assist over half a million people in need following a series of cyclones and flooding that have battered

By Katja Gilon

ANTSOHIHY, Madagascar, 30 March 2007 - "It was incredible. In just a few minutes the heavy floods washed out our house," Véronique Miadana said with tears in her eyes. Living with her five children in the suburbs of Antsohihy, north of Sofia in northern Madagascar, Ms. Miadana and her family were among the first victims of Cyclone Indlala, which struck northern Madagascar on 15 March.

"Seeing the danger, my children and I fled, taking only necessary belongings with us," continued Ms. Miadana. "In a few minutes everything collapsed, and with it my dreams."

By Russell McCulley

NEW ORLEANS, March 29 (Reuters) - New Orleans officials unveiled a $1.06 billion plan on Thursday to rebuild their city, saying they could no longer wait for federal aid 19 months after Hurricane Katrina.

The plan targets 17 "recovery zones" for commercial development, including hard hit areas such as the Lower Ninth Ward and New Orleans East.

They said the money would come from state funds and from the sale of bonds, and be spent on infrastructure repair and other projects with the hope of attracting private investment to spur new business.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Responding to the Government of Madagascar's request for international assistance, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Henderson M. Patrick declared a disaster due to widespread flooding from Cyclone Indlala. As a result, the U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has provided $100,000 in assistance to Madagascar for this disaster and other recent tropical storms and cyclones. USAID is giving $50,000 to NGO partner CARE for emergency relief supplies and another $50,000 to the UN World Food Programme to transport food to remote communities.

This report is a short situation update. A more complete report will be released by the beginning of next week, when assessments of the situation will be available.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

1. The following regions are hardest hit by the cyclone Indlala: Diana, Sava, Sofia, Boeny, Betsiboka, Alaotra Mangoro, Atsinanana, Analajirofo, Vatovavy-Fitovinany, Atsimo-Atsinanana.