Latest updates on country situation
24 September 2024
In 2024, southern Africa is experiencing its worst drought in 100 years as a result of El Niño. Approximately 61 million people need assistance, with over 20 million experiencing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) food insecurity levels. Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have declared a state of emergency in response to the severe drought. There has also been a significant increase in malnutrition cases in Angola, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia, with expectations for the trend to continue into the first quarter of 2025. (OCHA 20/09/2024, OCHA 19/09/2024)
02 April 2024
On 27 March 2024, Tropical Cyclone Gamane made landfall in Ampisikinana commune, Sava region. As at 30 March, the cyclone had caused heavy rains and floods, killing 18 people and leading to four people missing. It had displaced over 24,000 people and affected more than 88,000 in Analanjirofo, Atsinanana, Diana, and Sava regions. The displaced were sheltering in 87 temporary shelter sites across these regions. Gamane has also had a significant impact on infrastructure and agriculture, destroying nearly 800 houses and over 100 schools and flooding over 1,600 hectares of rice fields as at 29 March. The collapse of roads and bridges hampers access to the affected areas, with heavy rains cutting off the road connecting the capital to the northeast. The needs of the affected people are uncertain, with assessments still underway. (BNGRC Facebook 30/03/2024, OCHA 28/03/2024, Club of Mozambique 30/03/2024)
06 February 2024
IPC projects that between February–April 2024, around 1.7 million people will experience Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse food insecurity levels, including 119,000 facing Emergency (IPC Phase 4) levels, as a result of the lean season (December–April). This is an increase from the previous quarter (October 2023 to January 2024), which registered 1.3 million people facing IPC 3 or worse levels. (IPC 18/01/2024, ACAPS accessed 07/02/2024)
11 January 2024
Tropical Cyclone Alvaro made landfall over the southwestern-central coast of Madagascar on 1 January 2024 and crossed the southern-central regions on 2 January. As at 5 January, it had displaced more than 9,500 people to 36 evacuation centres, affected almost 26,000 people, and led to ten recorded fatalities. The worst-hit regions are Atsimo-Andrefana, Fitovinany, Ihorombe, Matsiatra, and Menabe. Access remains limited in some municipalities. (L'express 11/01/2024, ECHO 05/01/2024)
07 November 2023
Food insecurity is projected to increase in the first quarter of next year. From January to April 2024, an estimated 1.72 million people will face IPC Phase 3 and above, an increase of 397,500 people (23% increase) mainly due to cyclones, floods, and heavy rainfall.
(IPC 22/08/2023, FEWS NET Accessed 09/11/2023)
28 July 2023
The current drought, the worst in 40 years, and the devastating impacts of Cyclones Freddy and Cheneso in 2023 have heightened the risk of famine in southern Madagascar and have had major impacts on agricultural land. Crops have been destroyed during their early stages of growth and germination, resulting in livelihood loss and aggravating food insecurity in the region. In 2023, 3.9 million people, including nearly 500,000 children, face critical food shortages. From August–October 2023, 59,000 are expected to face Emergency (IPC Phase 4) food insecurity. The affected population urgently needs food, NFIs, shelter, protection, education, WASH, and health services. (USAID 12/05/2023, ECHO accessed 01/08/2023, IPC 04/01/2023)
28 April 2023
Madagascar is currently experiencing a humanitarian emergency as a result of Cyclone Freddy in 2023, Cyclones Batsirai and Emnati in 2022, and a devastating drought in the Grand Sud from 2020–2022. These events have caused significant damage to crops, arable land, and livestock, resulting in the loss of livelihoods and worsened food insecurity.
Approximately 3.86 million people are in urgent need of assistance, including more than 454,900 children who require treatment for acute malnutrition. The health system was already under strain, and these recurring crises only aggravate the situation. The emergency has resulted in a pressing need for food, health, shelter, WASH, and protection services.
current crises
in
Madagascar
These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.
MDG002 - Drought
Last updated 28/11/2024
Drivers
Drought
Crisis level
Country
Severity level
2.5 Medium
Access constraints
1.0
REG012 - Southern Africa Regional Food Security Crisis
Last updated 30/09/2024
Drivers
Crisis level
Regional
Severity level
3.8 High
Access constraints
3.0
Analysis products
on
Madagascar
05 April 2024
Madagascar: Cyclone Gamane
DOCUMENT / PDF / 404 KB
Between 26–29 March 2024, tropical Cyclone Gamane struck north and east of the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar, primarily affecting the regions of Analanjirofo, Atsinanana, Diana, and Sava. Nearly 88,200 people have been affected, over 24,000 of whom have been forced to flee their homes.
19 January 2024
Madagascar: cyclone exposure and vulnerabilities
DOCUMENT / PDF / 861 KB
This report provides an overview of the country’s cyclone exposure based on historical data from 2000–2023, its cyclone vulnerabilities, and its response capacities, aiming to inform strategic planning and anticipatory action.
22 February 2023
Madagascar: Tropical Cyclone Freddy exposure and vulnerabilities
DOCUMENT / PDF / 4 MB
The report aims to provide a brief overview of the key regions exposed to Tropical Cyclone Freddy and highlight existing vulnerabilities that might increase the needs of the exposed population.
10 March 2022
Madagascar: Food insecurity crisis in the Grand Sud regions
DOCUMENT / PDF / 575 KB
The report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the main drivers of the current food insecurity situation in the Grand Sud and its impact on affected households across humanitarian response sectors. The report also provides an overview of coping mechanisms used by people in need, which have further adverse effects.
13 March 2017
Madagascar: Tropical Cyclone Enawo
DOCUMENT / PDF / 542 KB
Tropical Cyclone Enawo, equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, made landfall over Antalaha district, in the northeastern coast of Madagascar, on 7 March. As of 13 March, at least 100,000 people have been directly affected by the cyclone, approximately half of whom are in Antalaha district.