Humanity & Inclusion teams are visiting some of the most affected areas less than 24 hours after Cyclone Batsirai first made landfall on Madagascar. The storm has not finished its devastating path across Madagascar.
The cyclone’s damage is significant so far. At least 5 people have died and 52,000 people have lost their homes. It is likely those numbers will rise as initial assessments are conducted.
#BatsiraiCyclone: As #Batsirai moves over #Madagascar, at least 5 people have died and 52,000 people have lost their homes.
— Humanity & Inclusion U.S. (@HI_UnitedStates) February 6, 2022
Humanity & Inclusion has deployed its first team by motorcycle to evaluate the situation in affected areas.
Pictured: Damages at a school supported by HI. pic.twitter.com/n8Cc2v47qD
Leading up to the storm, Humanity & Inclusion replenished its stocks to enable distributions to families affected by the storm as soon as the alert is lifted.
“This Sunday morning, authorities in the Eastern region of Vatovavy reported significant destruction on top of the risk of food shortage,” says Vincent Dalonneau, Humanity & Inclusion’s country director in Madagascar.
Humanity & Inclusion worked with its partners to help people with disabilities and others vulnerable to the storm’s path to find safety in secure buildings. Teams also took shelter during the storm.
"We are working closely with other NGOs and local authorities to act quickly, coordinate, and communicate throughout the crisis,” Dalonneau explains. “Everyone is taking action because the risks are so high for the population."
Evaluating needs as soon as possible
Nearly 70 of the HI's staff are ready to visit and assess affected communities, under the coordination of local authorities. On Sunday morning, the first teams set out on motorcycles to one of the affected regions to determine the extent of destruction.
"With the support of Save the Children in particular, we have built up additional stocks of emergency aid, so that we can ensure distributions as soon as possible,” Dalonneau continues. “The household kits enable us to provide families with essentials they may have lost during the cyclone: cooking equipment, blankets, candles, dishes, etc. We also have dignity kits with hygiene materials such as soap, toothpaste, water jugs, and water purifiers.
"Depending on the severity of the situation, we will adapt our response to provide effective assistance to those who need it most,” he adds. “All our teams across the country are mobilized and we have enough stock to intervene throughout the very first days, the most critical period after any disaster."