UNICEF External Situation Report Madagascar - 24 Apr 2007

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS

The last global assessments from the National Bureau for Risk and Catastrophe Management (BNGRC) from the 17th of April state a total number of 188,331 affected people from Indlala and Jaya in eight regions: Diana, Sofia, Sava, Analanjirofo, Vatovavy Fitovinany, Atsimo Antsinanana, Atsinanana and Aloatra Mangoro.

The number of deaths has almost doubled with 150 people reported dead. 30 are still missing and 126 injured. Impact on agriculture has been more important than previously reported with 76,105 hectares of crop fields destroyed. In terms of communication facilities 103 bridges are damaged.

In Sofia region, the start of air delivery with a 2,5 tons capacity helicopter, and support from the CPC (Corps de Protection Civile) with trucks and ULM (Malagasy Army) has significantly accelerated relief operations.

NEEDS ASSESSMENTS

Due to the increased agricultural and livestock losses reported by the BNGRC, food insecurity could become a threat, namely in the North West. WFP is therefore starting food security assessments as of this week to determine the severity of food insecurity within the most affected areas of the North West. These assessments will mainly be carried out in the most isolated, affected areas now accessible through helicopter deliveries. To date it is too early to talk about a nutritional threat in the North.

Situation in the Sofia Region (northwest)

The number of directly affected people has increased with reports from the most remote areas. On the 19th of April, the Regional Local Authorities (DDR) reported a total caseload of 106 deaths and 83,532 affected people, representing over 11,500 families.

Situation in Antananarivo

The situation of victims of floods in Antananarivo is improving. The last BNGRC figures from the 19th of April report 937 homeless in 16 camps. Three camps have been closed since last week and 282 people have found shelter with family, relatives or friends.

UNICEF RESPONSE

SUPPLY AND LOGISTICS

80% of the directly affected population within the Ambanja district (Diana) can be reached only by airlift. To a lesser extent, 11 081 directly affected people or 13% of the total number of directly affected people within the Sofia region, located in three districts (Befandriana, Bealanana and Port Bergé) are concerned. Since 20 April, distribution efforts to these isolated communities have been stepped up thanks to the first rotations of the WFP helicopter which has a transport capacity of 2.5 to 3 tons. Each flight will carry "relief kits", elaborated by UNICEF/WFP and prioritizing food (rice, dry beans, oil) and light non-food items (NFIs) such as soap, kitchen items, medical kits, mosquito nets, blankets and water purifiers. On 24 April, the equivalent of 4.5 tons of NFI items and 34 tons of food have been delivered to 688 families in two municipalities (Antsakabary and Matsondakana) in the Befandriana district. On site for 2 to 3 weeks (72 flight hours), the WFP/UNICEF helicopter will strongly boost relief response in all sectors.

At the same time, more and more regular arrival of supplies by air, boat and road, ensure that the UNICEF NFI relief stocks in both Antsohihy and Ambanja bases are kept to the full. On 19 April, two trucks full of NFI including WASHE ( 2125 buckets, 6600 timbales, 8 215L drums, 6912 soaps bars 800g, 10 filters) and Health (20 000 ORS, 3 NEH Kits, 11 survival kits) items as well as 50 tarpaulins, 520 blankets and 68 cooking sets have arrived.

Three additional trucks from the Government Military Force- CPC ("Corps de Protection Civile") have arrived in Antsohihy on 21 April with 243 additional UNICEF blankets and two drums of 100 KG of Hypochlorite (HTH) for the cleaning of wells.

WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE EDUCATION (WASHE)

Since the beginning of the field response, the following WASHE supplies have been distributed per region: In the Sofia region, 988 families have received WASHE supplies within 5 districts of the Sofia region: Befandriana, Antsohihy, Bealanana, Analava, Port Berge

During the first helicopter distribution on April 21st, WASHE supplies were distributed to 345 families. A WASHE specialist trained 31 community agents on how to use the water purifier product "Sureau". Quality control of surface water and efficiency of Sureau on turbid water was equally done successfully.

In the Ambanja district, 218 affected families have received WASHE supplies within the 10 municipalities.

NON-FOOD RELIEF ITEMS

In addition to the WASHE supplies mentioned above, the following NFI have been delivered via helicopter to 688 isolated, affected families of Antsakabary and Matsoandakana municipalities (within the Befandriana district) between 20 and 24 April.

HEALTH AND NUTRITION

To respond to the basic health needs of the affected populations three New Emergency Health Kits (NEHK) are pre-positioned for distribution in the Antsohihy and Ambanja districts. Each NEHK includes 18 cartons and covers the needs of 10,000 people during 3 months.

In Antsohihy, two NEHK will cover the needs of 20 Health Centers. It has been agreed with the regional authorities that these Health kits will be free for the affected populations. The following distribution plan has been agreed with the Regional health authorities, to deserve the 4 most affected districts in priority. To date the three municipalities in bold below have been delivered.

Nutrition (NUT)

South East

The implementation of a nutrition response targeted at 17 communities in Nosy Varika and Manjary is well underway. Recruitment of the mobile team leaders has been completed; it is anticipated that 4 teams will be required to cover the targeted area. Training material and relevant tools are currently being developed by an international nutritionist while procurement of therapeutic food and drugs, and logistics arrangements have been finalized.

South

Since the beginning of the program a total of 838 severely malnourished children were identified and admitted in the therapeutic program. One quarter of them showed severe medical complications and were treated in inpatient feeding centers while the remaining 75% were treated by using the outpatient approach. The recovery and death rates of the therapeutic program were 81% and 3.8% respectively. In addition, a total of 5,610 moderately malnourished children were admitted in the program since its incipience with recovery, death and defaulter rates of 83%, 0.3% and 5.9% respectively. Performance indicators for the therapeutic and supplementary program were in line with the international Sphere standards and indicative of good program performance.

EDUCATION

Current UNICEF intervention in the four regions of Diana, Sava, Sofia and Analanjirofo concerns 93,400 school children in 467 primary schools (331 partially destroyed and 136 completely destroyed). In Sofia region, according to the Regional Director of National Education, 208,714 out of 255,269 school children were able to return to school after the Easter Break. Community mobilization/sensitizing continues to get the remaining children back in school.

This week's achievements:

- 7,800 school children have received notebooks and pencils in the Maroantsetra district (Analanjirofo) - In Ambanja district (Diana), plastic sheeting has been installed in 6 completely destroyed schools.

Actions in process:

- In the seven districts of Antsohihy (Sofia region), 43 UNICEF school tents ( 23 x 36 sqm and 20 x24 sqm ) will be set up as of 21 April allowing 1,090 additional school children to restart school after a 1 month break.

- On 22 April, 9 tents of 36 sqm have been set up in the following four districts: Sahavalanana (1), Andreba (1), Befandriana (4) and Mandristara (3) - Dispatching of notebooks, pens and pencils contributing to the schooling of 93 400 children - Dispatching of WASH supplies to 467 primary schools

INTER-AGENCY COLLABORATION AND KEY PARTNERSHIPS

The first official WASHE cluster meeting led by UNICEF was held on 23 April with more than 16 partners, including government entities, UN Agencies, the World Bank, INGO's, local NGO's, and bilateral partners. Technical meeting should follow this week.

The health cluster, lead by WHO, is operational since two weeks.