Madagascar: Building resilient communities
Since 2002, Medair has helped communities in Madagascar strengthen their resilience to climate disasters while helping to improve and restore access to safe drinking water.
The needs
Madagascar is one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate change. Every year Madagascar faces natural disasters like cyclones and droughts that affect thousands of people. However, rarely do these events grab the world’s attention and few international humanitarian organisations respond. Widespread poverty and limited access to safe water and sanitation only makes matter worse.
3.8 million
People need humanitarian assistance
1.4 million
People live in extreme poverty
2.2 million
People do not have enough food to eat
Testimonial
“Batsirai was the most devastating cyclone I have experienced. The cash assistance I received will be used to improve and buy seeds for my land. I almost joined my parents in the grave, but I am still here.”
Alfred
75, Madagascar
Our difference
Medair responds to cyclone emergencies by restoring water supplies, providing hygiene items to prevent outbreaks, and giving cash assistance to the hardest-hit people. We strengthen communities to withstand future storms by supporting risk management committees in the communities and training villages on Early Warning Systems. Nationally, we worked with a government-led consortium to initiate text emergency alerts to more than 3.8 million people.
669,113
People directly assisted in 2022
202,033
People received training on disaster risk reduction
378,848
People benefited from disaster preparedness
Go deeper
Browse the latest updates and stories on the field.
Stories
Help and hope after cyclone Gamane
Medair assists 24,491 people in the aftermath of cyclone Gamane in Maroantsetra through the Start Fund mechanism.
Stories
In southern Madagascar, a mother recalls going to bed hungry and thirsty
In southern Madagascar, families go to bed and wake up hungry and thirsty, missing meals and drinking water because they don’t have anything to eat and drink.
Stories
How a map helps reduce risk in Madagascar
How we’re working with communities to reduce the impact of disasters induced by natural hazards in Madagascar
Stories
Giving Cyclone Freddy Survivors Their Smile Back
Following the devastation brought by Cyclone Freddy, over 100 homeless received a new house
Stories
Housing units that are more resilient to cyclonic hazards.
In south-east Madagascar, more than 1,200 households will benefit from homes that are more resilient to cyclonic hazards.
Reports
Madagascar Crisis Report 2023
Review the latest 2023 report about our the current crisis and Medair's actions in Madagascar.
Stories
Improving access to basic hygiene and sanitation
Promoting hygiene is essential to staying healthy. In southeast Madagascar, Medair continues to support communities made vulnerable by Cyclone Freddy in February 2023.
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We partner generously with foundations, individuals, governments, and corporations to scale our impact.
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Thereare so many ways your gift will make a meaningful difference. Your support willprovide treatment for malnourished children, empower women, educate communitieson health, hygiene, and nutrition, and ensure access to safe watersources.
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We work together for life and hope
Thanks to the compassion and generosity of our donors, volunteers, corporate partners, and foundations, we are able to restore life and hope in the world’s hardest-to-reach places.
Africa
Chad
Over 800,000 people are fleeing across the border. This massive influx is placing immense pressure on already strained resources. With limited support for refugees, Medair is on the ground providing essential WASH and Nutrition assistance.
Europe & Central asia
Yemen
While similar crises fight for the world’s attention, millions of children and mothers in Yemen are fighting for their lives in the shadows. Medair is responding with life-saving nutrition services.
Europe & Central asia
Ukraine
When conflict erupted in 2022 and sent millions of families fleeing for their lives, Medair was there within days to welcome them with open arms and meaningful support.
Europe & Central asia
Syria
More than 12 years of conflict and a deadly earthquake in 2023 have had devastating effects on communities in Syria. But we are determined to help rebuild by restoring health services, safe water sources, and shelters for those in desperate
Africa
Sudan
Violent clashes erupted once again in April 2023 around the capital, Khartoum. A staggering 4 million people fled their homes in just the first 100 days. Now, Sudan is once again in a full-blown humanitarian crisis and needs support to surv
Africa
South Sudan
When the road stops, we keep going. Our teams travel by boat, canoe and plane to the most isolated and hardest-to-reach communities in South Sudan, cut off from vital services like health care, nutrition, and water.
Africa
Somalia
Medair has been responding to crises in Somalia since 2008, helping some of the most isolated communities access health care and safe water and protecting women and children from violence.
Europe & Central asia
Lebanon
Since the beginning of the Syrian Crisis, Medair has been a lifeline to Syrian refugees in Lebanon as they struggle to rebuild their lives after surviving a civil war. We care for families by helping them meet their most urgent needs.
Europe & Central asia
Afghanistan
Medair has been responding to the effects of crisis in Afghanistan since 1996. While the country remains in crisis today, we do not lose hope for a peaceful and flourishing future for the people of Afghanistan.
Africa
DR Congo
After decades of instability, DR Congo is still in the throes of crisis. Yet, Medair has stayed the course for more than 25 years to help save lives and strengthen communities.
Africa
Madagascar
Since 2002, Medair has helped communities in Madagascar strengthen their resilience to climate disasters while helping to improve and restore access to safe drinking water.
Africa
Kenya
The Horn of Africa is experiencing its worst drought in more than 40 years. Medair’s nutrition outreach teams are travelling to northern Kenya’s most remote villages to save lives from malnutrition and disease.
Europe & Central asia
Jordan
Since the beginning of the Syrian Crisis, Medair has been a lifeline to Syrian refugees in Jordan as they struggle to rebuild their lives from the ground up.
Africa
Chad
Over 800,000 people are fleeing across the border. This massive influx is placing immense pressure on already strained resources. With limited support for refugees, Medair is on the ground providing essential WASH and Nutrition assistance.
DR Congo
After decades of instability, DR Congo is still in the throes of crisis. Yet, Medair has stayed the course for more than 25 years to help save lives and strengthen communities.
Kenya
The Horn of Africa is experiencing its worst drought in more than 40 years. Medair’s nutrition outreach teams are travelling to northern Kenya’s most remote villages to save lives from malnutrition and disease.
Madagascar
Since 2002, Medair has helped communities in Madagascar strengthen their resilience to climate disasters while helping to improve and restore access to safe drinking water.
Somalia
Medair has been responding to crises in Somalia since 2008, helping some of the most isolated communities access health care and safe water and protecting women and children from violence.
South Sudan
When the road stops, we keep going. Our teams travel by boat, canoe and plane to the most isolated and hardest-to-reach communities in South Sudan, cut off from vital services like health care, nutrition, and water.
Sudan
Violent clashes erupted once again in April 2023 around the capital, Khartoum. A staggering 4 million people fled their homes in just the first 100 days. Now, Sudan is once again in a full-blown humanitarian crisis and needs support to surv
America
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Asia
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Europe & Central asia
Afghanistan
Medair has been responding to the effects of crisis in Afghanistan since 1996. While the country remains in crisis today, we do not lose hope for a peaceful and flourishing future for the people of Afghanistan.
Jordan
Since the beginning of the Syrian Crisis, Medair has been a lifeline to Syrian refugees in Jordan as they struggle to rebuild their lives from the ground up.
Lebanon
Since the beginning of the Syrian Crisis, Medair has been a lifeline to Syrian refugees in Lebanon as they struggle to rebuild their lives after surviving a civil war. We care for families by helping them meet their most urgent needs.
Syria
More than 12 years of conflict and a deadly earthquake in 2023 have had devastating effects on communities in Syria. But we are determined to help rebuild by restoring health services, safe water sources, and shelters for those in desperate
Ukraine
When conflict erupted in 2022 and sent millions of families fleeing for their lives, Medair was there within days to welcome them with open arms and meaningful support.
Yemen
While similar crises fight for the world’s attention, millions of children and mothers in Yemen are fighting for their lives in the shadows. Medair is responding with life-saving nutrition services.
Oceania
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Past countries
Albania
Medair worked in Albania in 1998 and 1999.
Angola
Medair's engagement in Angola occurred in 2002 and later in 2018-2019.
Armenia
Medair extended support to Armenia in 1993 and 1994.
Bangladesh
Medair operated in Bangladesh in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2018, and 2019.
Central African Republic (C.A.R.)
Medair operated in C.A.R. in 2014.
Chechnya
Medair operated in Chechnya in 1995, 1996, and 2004.
Ecuador
Medair operated in Ecuador in 2016.
Haiti
Medair worked in Haiti from 2008 to 2009, 2010 to 2012, and 2016.
Honduras
Medair provided assistance in Honduras in 2020
India
Medair provided assistance in India in 2001.
Indonesia
Medair operated in Indonesia from 2006 to 2007 and later from 2008 to 2009, 2010 to 2012, and 2018.
Ingushetia
Medair provided assistance in Ingushetia in 1996.
Iran
Medair provided assistance in Iran in 2003.
Iraq
Medair provided assistance in Iraq in 1991, 1992, 2014
Kosovo
Medair operated in Kosovo in 1998 and 1999.
Liberia
Medair worked in Liberia in 1991.
Mozambique
Medair has been active in Mozambique since 2000, with ongoing operations until 2019.
Myanmar
Medair worked in Myanmar in 2016.
Nepal
Medair worked in Nepal from 2014 to 2015 and later in 2016 and 2018.
North Ossetia
Medair was involved in North Ossetia in 1995 and later in 2004.
Pakistan
Medair's involvement in Pakistan spans from 2005 to 2007 and later from 2016 to 2017.
Philippines
Medair started working in the Philippines in 2013 and has ongoing operations.
Rwanda
Medair provided assistance in Rwanda in 1994.
Sierra Leone
Medair provided assistance in Sierra Leone from 2014 to 2015.
Sri Lanka
Medair worked in Sri Lanka in 2004.
Turkiye
Medair began providing humanitarian aid in Turkiye after the earthquakes in 2023.
Uganda
Medair started working in Uganda in 1989, with operations continuing until 1990. We returned in 2000 and operated until 2003.
Vanuatu
Medair provided assistance in Vanuatu in 2015.
Zimbabwe
Medair operated in Zimbabwe in 2002, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011-2012.