On March 29 (Wed), the Government of Japan decided to extend emergency assistance in kind (equivalent to about 10,950,000 yen), comprising sprayers, cresol, medicated soap, and other items to the Republic of Madagascar, which is suffering from an outbreak of infectious diseases including cholera.
Although cholera that broke in Madagascar in March 1999 seemed to have subsided, it began to spread again in the northern region and in urban area along the western coast of the country from December last year, when the rainy season started. Heavy rain, caused by two cyclones which passed over Madagascar from February to March this year, worsened the hygienic situation, and cholera and other infectious diseases are now sweeping the country.
According to the announcement by the Government of Madagascar, the number of deaths from cholera is 1,362 and about 20,000 people are infected.
In such a situation, the Government of Madagascar has organized a national council for emergency help to engage in relief activities and, at the same time, requested emergency assistance from the international community including Japan.
The Government of Japan has decided to extend emergency assistance from a humanitarian standpoint, in view of the severity of the disaster and the friendly relations between Japan and Madagascar.