Attachments
The food security situation has been worsened due to the immediate lack of access to food
22 February 2023, Johannesburg – Tropical cyclone Cheneso hit Madagascar, impacting an estimated 141 000 hectares of cropland and 4 percent of the total agricultural land, affecting agriculture and livelihoods in the most affected regions of Boeny, Diana, Menabe and Sofia.
The cyclone hit on 19 and 26 January during the second rice harvest of the year, adversely affecting rice supply in the short-to-medium term for the upcoming consumption season.
The effect of the cyclone was shown by the rapid geospatial impact assessment conducted by the Data in Emergencies team of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in the days following the tropical cyclone.
Impact on agricultural land
Tropical cyclone Cheneso formed over the southwestern Indian Ocean and made landfall on Madagascar's north and western coast.
Crops at the emerging and germination stages were destroyed due to the total emersion of floodwater and landslides. Madagascar National Bureau of Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) estimates that the flooding affected approximately 1 400 rice fields.
In addition, stored food (including rice) for consumption during the lean season, inputs such as fertilizer and seeds have been damaged or destroyed.
Impacts on livelihoods and food insecurity
The most affected areas were the Betsiboka Delta rice fields and fishing zones, northern sugar cane fields, fishing tourism, western rice fishing fields and the southwestern rice fields.
The immediate suspension of fishing activities and loss of fishing equipment has impacted fishing communities, requiring an immediate response. It also has a direct implication on household food security and nutrition.
According to the assessment findings, fresh fish normally was unavailable in the days or weeks following tropical cyclones or storms because fishermen are occupied with manual cleanup and repairs. In addition, demand for fish falls because available resources are primarily used to cover urgent needs.
The most affected flood areas in Boeny and Sofia regions have a higher animal density (35 and 25 heads/km 2 cattle, respectively) than the southern regions – Menabe region, for example – with an average density of 10 heads of cattle per km 2.
FAO calls for an in-depth assessment on the impact of tropical cyclone Cheneso to be conducted in the affected areas to ascertain the damages and losses incurred to the agriculture sector and to inform programming.
Relevant link:
Madagascar Storymap: Tropical cyclone Cheneso, Madagascar, 2023