Period covered by this Ops Update: 22 March to 5 June, 2012;

Appeal target (current): CHF 831,512

Appeal coverage: 22%;

Appeal history:

This Emergency Appeal was initially launched on 22 March to support the Madagascar Red Cross Society (MRCS) to assist 5,000 households (approximately 25,000 beneficiaries) for nine months.

Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF): CHF 278,536 was allocated from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent’s (IFRC) Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to immediately respond to the needs of 2,000 affected households. This operation update covers this DREF period, before the issuance of the Emergency Appeal.

Operation update no. 1: Reported on progress during the initial DREF period.

Operation update no. 2: The current update, reports on progress to date during the emergency appeal period.

Summary: Since mid-February, Madagascar has been affected consecutively by Intense Tropical Cyclone (ITC) Giovanna, followed by severe Tropical Storm (TS) Irina and soon after by an active Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) that brought heavy rains. While ITC Giovanna caused significant damage to houses as a result of very strong winds up to 230km/h in the eastern and central part of the island, TS Irina and the ITCZ resulted in massive floods and landslides in the south-eastern area. According to authorities, a total of 112 people died, 299 were wounded, 54,000 displaced and more than 300,000 people were affected.

The Malagasy Red Cross Society (MRCS) activated its contingency plan and mobilized 300 volunteers to provide first aid for wounded people, evacuating them as necessary. Using DREF funds, MRCS mobilized its national disaster response team (NDRT) and its prepositioned non-food items. The MRCS mobilized volunteers to manage IDP camps, practice first aid and undertake damage and needs assessments. Since then, 2,000 kitchen sets have been distributed, while additional materials are being dispatched from warehouses. To date, 1,800 rehabilitation toolkits were distributed during the reporting period and volunteers will continue to distribute the remaining 200 planned toolkits.

In emergency health, planned activities related to first aid, medical treatment and referral have been completed. Sixty delivery kits were distributed to emergency centres. Volunteers continue in the sensitization on health and hygiene practice for 5,000 families in the targeted areas.

In Watsan, 2,000 families benefited from distribution of WatSan sets in Brickaville and Vatomandry. So far, 7 wells have been rehabilitated and 190 wells treated, allowing 10,000 families to have access to safe water. No diarrhoea epidemic has been reported to date and the rehabilitation of wells can be expected to result in sustainable impacts for the community.

In communication, interviews and stories on national TV and in newspapers helped in improving public understanding and support of the operation. A presentation held with National and UN partners helped share MRCS accomplishments under the appeal.

The ability to carry out essential planned activities is constrained by the lack of resources, and partners are encouraged to support the appeal at this stage. For example, none of the planned disaster risk reduction activities have been initiated for lack of funding. While the lack of funding challenges the implementation of the operation, negotiations are underway with COI (Indian Ocean Commission) and Madagascar MoH for the implementation of epidemic control and community health activities, using ECV tools in the districts of Ifanadiana, Vohipeno, Farafangana and Vangaindrano.