Red Cross appeal for help to cyclone victims in Madagascar raises over R250,000 |03 March 2022
• Second appeal to be launched soon
It is almost a year now since the Red Cross Society of Seychelles (RCSS) launched an appeal to assist the people affected with severe drought and famine in Madagascar. A total of R250,500 (over US $14,000) were donated to the Malagasy Red Cross. The money helped to assist about twelve hundred households.
The National Society has been called again by the Malagasy Red Cross to further give a helping hand to the more than 400,000 people affected.
Therefore, the RCSS will be launching another appeal soon to support the response to tropical storms, cyclones and rains which have affected Madagascar since January.
The International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent (IFRC) has already launched an appeal for about three (3) million Swiss Francs to assist 50,000 people in Madagascar.
Considering the recurring nature of cyclones and flooding in these regions, the IFRC’s operational strategy is designed at the same time to support preparedness efforts to respond to incoming weather systems and ensuing food insecurity which will likely emerge following large scale ravages on crops.
Timeline of events:
- January 17, 2022: Torrential rains cause flooding in Grand Tana area in Analamanga region, affecting eight districts of the Grand Tana and 38 communities.
- January 23, 2022: The eastern region of the country is struck by a tropical depression with Tropical Storm Ana making landfall in the Mahanoro in Atsinanana region.
- January 27, 2022: State of emergency declared by government across the country, followed by a call for solidarity launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- February 5, 2022: Intense Tropical Cyclone Batsirai makes landfall about 20:00 in Mananjary, on the eastern coast of Madagascar, with wind speeds reported at an average of 165km/h but peaking at 230km/h (Category 4), causing damage, destruction and displacement of tens of thousands of people.
- February 15, 2022: Tropical storm Dumako makes landfall late morning near Ile Sainte Marie, with wind speeds of 74km/H affecting 4 regions of Madagascar displacing thousands of people, near the area.
- February 23, 2022:Tropical Cyclone Emnati makes landfall on Madagascar with winds of up to 135 kilometres per hour and becomes the fifth extreme weather event this year, and the fourth tropical storm to make landfall in Madagascar in one month.
Press release from the RCSS