Madagascar

04 February 2025

Between January–April 2025, approximately 1.94 million people (18% of the assessed population) are expected to experience acute food insecurity at Crisis (IPC Phase 3) levels. This is an increase from the previous period (September–December 2024), which saw 1.63 million food-insecure people. The rise is attributed to food price inflation; adverse climatic conditions, including below-average rainfall; cyclones; and floods. The current lean season (typically December–April) has increased household vulnerability, aggravating food shortages. The planting of the main season crop, rice, was also late by several weeks in the southern, central, and eastern regions, which are key agricultural zones. Nationwide, above-average temperatures are forecasted from January–March 2025, compounding the challenges of reduced rainfall. November–April coincides with the cyclone season, which poses a significant threat to crops and agricultural production. Two cyclones, Dikeledi and Chido, have just recently affected Madagascar. Their lingering impacts will further reduce food availability and heighten food insecurity. (IPC 31/01/2025, FAO 27/01/2025)

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)