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Madagascar

Responding to the climate crisis with recovery and resilience in Madagascar

Between October 2024 and March 2025, Madagascar was hit by a series of powerful storms and unpredictable weather. Drought, flooding and cyclones affected several regions, leaving behind destruction. Homes were swept away, crops were destroyed, and access to food, clean water, healthcare and education became even more difficult.

More than 100,000 people were affected. Thousands were forced to leave their homes and seek shelter wherever they could. Many families are now living with daily challenges of hunger, illness and uncertainty.

Marie, a 58-year-old mother from Ampitatafika, shared her story:
“We were already struggling, and the floods made everything worse. Our home was flooded and we lost almost everything. We don’t have a safe place to sleep. The children are often sick and we still don’t have enough food or clean water.”

Ranja, 25, lives alone with her three children while her husband works 150 kilometres away.
“Life was already hard, but the floods made it worse. Our home is no longer liveable. Everything is soaked, our clothes, our bedding, and we sometimes have to sleep outside. My children are hungry and I don’t know how to feed them. We need food, clean water and a safe place to stay. I also want to find work so I can take care of them.”

In response, Caritas Madagascar has launched an emergency programme to support those most affected. Nearly 4,000 households are taking part in a cash-for-work scheme, earning an income by repairing local infrastructure, clearing drainage systems and planting trees to help reduce future risks.

Caritas Madagascar is also supporting the repair of schools, health centres and water points in the hardest-hit areas, helping communities begin to rebuild daily life. For families who lost everything, 1,200 household kits are being distributed, including items like cooking pots, jerrycans, soap, mats and solar lamps.

All of this is being done in close collaboration with local communities. Payments are made securely through the MVola mobile platform, and local committees help guide and oversee the process to ensure fairness and transparency.

Throughout the response, Caritas Madagascar remains committed to inclusion and protection. The programme gives priority to single mothers, older people and people with disabilities. At least half of all participants in the cash-for-work initiative are women. Child protection and safeguarding are embedded in every stage of the response, supported by clear commitments to non-discrimination and access to complaints mechanisms that help ensure accountability.