- On March 16 (Tue), the Government of
Japan decided to extend emergency assistance in kind worth about 16 million
yen (tents, generators, water purifiers, shovels, soaps and flashlights)
to the Government of the Republic of Madagascar, which sustained a cyclone
disaster.
2. Following cyclone Elita in February, cyclone Gafilo, one of the largest in the past 20 years, passed through Madagascar from March 7 (Sun) to 10 (Wed) twice at a maximum speed of 300 km, leaving great damage. According to the announcement by the Government of Madagascar on March 14 (Sun), there were 47 people dead, 169 missing, 538 injured, 8,760 houses damaged, and 199,454 people left homeless. It is feared that the reported damage will get worse as surveys go on.
3. At present, many Madagascans in vast areas are forced to lead an inconvenient life in shelters, and the Government of Madagascar has been making rehabilitation efforts of its own. However, the country is in need of international assistance, and on March 8 (Mon) Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcel Ranjeva and Minister of Interior General Soja requested assistance from the diplomatic community in Madagascar. Furthermore, President Marc Ravalomanana declared March 14 (Sun) the day for all the people of Madagascar to go in mourning for the victims of Elita and Gafilo cyclones and the serious disaster situation.
4. The Government of Japan has decided to extend this emergency assistance for the afflicted people from the humanitarian point of view and in light of the friendly relations between Japan and Madagascar.