Madagascar: Medair Responds to Cyclone Enawo

Lausanne, 08 March 2017 – Tropical cyclone Enawo made landfall yesterday, Tuesday 7 March in Ampahana, on the northeastern coast of Madagascar, resulting in significant wind damage and flooding. Prior to landfall, the storm’s winds strengthened and reached 200km/h to 250km/h, making this one of the strongest storms to hit Madagascar in the last five years.

The eye of the storm passed through the districts of Maroantsetra and Mananara-Nord, among others, where so far four people have been killed.

Medair has operated in Madagascar since 2002 focusing on WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene), disaster risk reduction, shelter, and cash transfer projects. Medair opened their base in Maroansetra in 2004 after cyclone Gafilo struck the area and has implemented projects in this region ever since. Today, Medair is active in Maroantsetra & Mananara-Nord with WASH projects, providing safe water and sanitation to isolated communities.

Medair has previous experience responding to tropical storms in Madagascar. In 2012, Medair provided emergency support for 5,000 households through the distribution of WASH kits and multipurpose cash assistance. Medair’s Malagasy team has been trained in emergency response and is able to quickly shift from rehabilitation activities to emergency response activities.​

Medair has pre-positioned 2,000 WASH kits around Maroantsetra. These will be distributed to the most vulnerable, and will benefit about 11,400 people. The kits contain water purifying solution, 1 kg of soap, 2 buckets, and 1 cup. Once the cyclone has passed, Medair’s team members will be assessing the quality of the water in the wells and purify them if necessary.

A first flight with MAF to assess damage will take place as soon as the weather allows. It is expected that people will need shelter, WASH items, and food, as many of the crops will have been destroyed.

Medair’s project in Madagascar is funded by the European Union, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Swiss Solidarity, the Zurich Zoo (CH), the Agence de l’eau Rhône Méditerranée Corse (FR), and generous private donors.

For more information on Medair’s project in Madagascar: www.medair.org/madagascar

Medair’s project in Madagascar is funded by the European Union, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Swiss Solidarity, the Zurich Zoo (CH), the Agence de l’eau Rhône Méditerranée Corse (FR), and generous private donors.

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