Attachments
A. SITUATION ANALYSIS
Description of the crisis
The regions of Vatovavy, Fitovinany, Atsinanana, Atsimo-Atsinanana, and Analamanga experienced several unprecedented disasters caused by tropical storm Batsirai. Batsirai made landfall on the eastern coast of Madagascar on February 5th, 2022, with wind speeds reportedly reaching an average of 185 km/h and peaking at 230 km/h, accompanied by heavy rains. The storm's trajectory directly hit the districts of Mananjary, Nosy Varika, Manakara Atsimo, and Ikongo.
On February 23, 2022, a severe tropical storm named Emnati made landfall with wind speeds of 130 km/h. This occurred just a few weeks after the passage of Batsirai, worsening the already precarious humanitarian situation caused by Batsirai. BNGRC1 conducted an assessment post-Batsirai and reported that 112,115 people were affected and 92 people have died. Additionally, 61,489 have been displaced in 99 accommodation sites, while 7,488 dwellings were destroyed; 2,714 dwelling units damaged; 6,978 flooded huts. Education installations damages were recorded with 885 schools damaged and 1,203 destroyed. The health sector was also significantly affected with 53 healthcare facilities damaged and 6 destroyed. Additionally, the roads were also damaged which made access to affected areas difficult.
In March 2022, BNGRC reported that Emnati resulted in the deaths of 15 people and caused housing damage to over 169,000 individuals, with 6,118 houses destroyed, 11,461 were damaged or 5,826 were flooded. The health sector has recorded damage to 34 healthcare facilities. The BNGRC report pointed out that at least 60,000 hectares of rice fields were twice flooded, which could affect the agriculture yields.
The IPC report on acute food insecurity for November 2022 to March 2023 highlighted the slow recovery in the Grand Sud Est region, which was affected by cyclones Emnati and Batsirai2. The floods and cyclones in Madagascar have significantly worsened the price hike for basic food and non-food items, as well as market supply issues. Additionally, there has been a peak in waterborne and vector-borne diseases, and pests have damaged crops during the peak lean season. The depreciation of the ariary has also negatively impacted the economy and the spending power of the population.
While responding to the Batsirai & Emnati Tropical cyclones' impact, two additional systems have erupted in the same zone of intervention affecting the same population that had previously been affected and whom this EA was targeting. Communities in eastern Madagascar, and particularly Mananjary, were starting to recover from previous cyclones but were unfortunately affected again by Tropical Cyclone Freddy and Cheneso. At the arrival of these systems, many people were sheltering in the open air while others found refuge in the emergency accommodation sides. These recent events have intensified their needs in terms of shelter, food, health, and essential household items.
Summary of response
Following the Government declaring a State of National Disaster and calling for support from various organizations in the country, the Malagasy Red Cross through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent launched a DREF.
DREF allocation of CHF 750,000 was released to support MRCS's response to the impacts of Tropical Depression Ana which was associated with heavy rains. Activation of response protocol/contingency plan and reinforcing its advisory at the community level and sharing of information with the local leaders. The outcomes of the multisectoral assessment led by BNGRC (Government Branch) have been shared with other stakeholders during the national task force meetings and individual organizations upon request. MRCS is currently the main source of information due to its presence at the grassroots level having a big volunteer base to support assessments.
On 4 February 2022, following an analysis of meteorological forecast information, an Emergency Appeal was launched to anticipate the humanitarian impacts of the TC Batsirai on the country. This Emergency Appeal helped to mobilize funds through various partners and donors including, the British Red Cross, American Red Cross, Kuwait Red Crescent, and USAID to support the people affected through interventions on WASH, Health, livelihoods, and shelter. The Emergency Appeal sought CHF 4 million as part of a Federation-wide funding requirement to support 50,000 people affected by TC Batsirai and the impacts of the other weather systems that preceded or followed. An Operational Strategy was published on 25 February 2022, which provides the overarching response plan for the operation against the CHF 4 million funding requirement. Through the ops update#3 the original target was reduced to 15,000.
Malagasy Red Cross deployed 355 volunteers to assist with the response to Batsirai and Emnati in the areas of the operation. A total of 200 in Analamanga, 105 in Atsinanana, and 50 in Vatovavy.