CERF allocates $1.5 million to provide food and health support to the most vulnerable populations in Madagascar

Mothers and children waiting to receive health aids             [Photo: UNICEF]

 

5 September 2008: A combination of increasing food prices and storms earlier this year has left tens of thousands of people in Madagascar vulnerable to food insecurity, particularly in regions already suffering from deteriorating social and human indicators.

With $412,000 in CERF funding, the World Food Programme (WFP) will provide food rations to the most vulnerable groups, including children under five, pregnant and lactating women. Some 19,000 households will be assisted.  

 

 

 

 [Last update: 3 November 2008]

CERF allocates US$ 376,000 to respond to the outbreak of Rift Valley Fever in Madagascar

18 June 2008:  Since January 2008, Rift Valley Fever (RVF) has been reported in both animals and humans in 20 out of 119 districts in Madagascar. The Ministry of Health has reported 514 suspected cases, including 19 human deaths caused by RVF. The Government of Madagascar is concerned that epidemic could have an adverse affect on the health and socioeconomic well being of the country for years to come, should it not be addressed at this stage. A large scale RVF outbreak would have a notable negative economic impact on poor rural farmers dependent on animal power as part of their livelihoods. The disease could also have synergistic effects on people who are already suffering from malaria and other diseases; further burdening Madagascar’s already overstretched health system.

A mother and her little child in Madagascar                        [Photo: UN]

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are utilizing CERF funds to save lives by reducing RVF infection in humans, while reducing livestock mortality and preventing economic losses. Hospitals and health facilities are being improved, including the provision of essential drugs, equipment and medical supplies, to accommodate RVF infected patients for treatment. Clinical guidelines and disinfection gear are also being supplied for implementing standard infection control precautions.

                                                   [Last update: 27 June 2008]

CERF allocates US$ 4.6 million to aid people affected by cyclone Ivan.

10 March: Cyclone Ivan, a category 4 cyclone, made landfall on Madagascar’s northeast coast on 17 February. Ivan brought 210 km per hour winds and days of heavy rain as it weakened into a tropical storm. Multiple tropical storms this season have affected cities and villages across the island and have produced extensive flooding which has only been exacerbated by the recent cyclone. The Analanjirofo, Atsinanana, Alaotra, Mangoro, Sofia, Analamanga, Boeny and Menabe regions are the worst affected.

The World Food Programme (WFP) is utilizing a CERF grant to provide emergency food to 200,000 people during the first three months of the emergency relief effort. Cyclone-affected people will receive emergency food assistance until the next harvest expected in May/June. WFP is also providing air support to the Government and NGOs with an M18 helicopter to ensure the timely delivery of relief aid to flood victims in remote areas.

CERF funds are enabling the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to provide access to safe water and sanitation in rural areas affected by the flooding. Sanitation and hygiene kits are being provided to affected families, while mobile latrines are being constructed for safe excreta and solid waste disposal. In collaboration with WHO, and UNFPA UNICEF is leading health recovery efforts. It is supplying essential drugs for health facilities, while supporting immunisation and vitamin supplementation for under-five children in cyclone-affected areas. In addition, long-lasting insecticide treated nets are being distributed to pregnant/lactating women and young children. UNICEF is also distributing emergency shelter materials, tools and non-food items to 2,000 people in the heavily flooded areas of Antananarivo, southwest coast, northwest regions and Alaotra Region.

While schools and health centres are disinfected and reconstructed, UNICEF is providing temporary structures for temporary schools and additional learning spaces through the CERF grant. Financial and technical assistance is also being provided to school authorities to improve children’s return to school. Furthermore, UNICEF is establishing 20 child-friendly spaces in accommodation centres, while training community members and authorities on the prevention of violence against children, women and other vulnerable groups.

The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) is preventing neonatal and maternal morbidity through a CERF-funded project that is providing materials for clean and safe deliveries. It is assessing health needs, running trainings on protecting young girls and women, and supplying health kits and training health personnel on their use.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is using CERF funds to enable 2,000 of the most affected rural households to restart agricultural production by distributing bean, horticulture, maize and rice seeds.

A CERF grant is allowing the World Health Organization (WHO) to control disease outbreaks through monitoring and supporting the health systems in the most affected regions. WHO is also supplying essential drugs, health personnel, technical training, health education and sensitization to disease while strengthening mobile health services in hard to reach areas.  

 [Last Update: 18 March 2008]

CERF in Madagascar in 2007