MADAGASCAR: People of Madagascar struggle to cope after Cyclone Indlala

More than a week after devastating floods and mudslides buried entire villages and ruined crops, the people of northeast Madagascar were still struggling on Monday to repair their damaged houses and find enough food to feed their families. Rivers burst their banks and roads were cut when Cyclone Indlala struck on March 15, killing at least 69 people and making tens of thousands homeless in the north of the Indian Ocean island, officials said. The cyclone struck the northeast coast of Madagascar with winds of more that 230 km/h (appx 14o mph) . The government's disaster management agency said it had confirmed 69 deaths, two people missing, and nearly 78,000 people uprooted on the world's fourth largest island that is home to 18.6 million people. The storm wiped out more than 3,600 houses and dozens of government buildings, schools and bridges, officials said. About 8,280 hectares (appx 500 acres) of paddy-fields were ruined. In northern Ambanja district "a whole mountain has collapsed, burying two villages under thousands of tonnes of rock and killing 20 people including six children in a school", the agency said. In the Sofia district of Antsohihy, access was possible to the town, where homes have been destroyed and people's belongings washed away. However many of the villages surrounding the local centre remain isolated. Bernard Beantakama lives in Antsohihy where he runs a car repair workshop. The house in which he lived with his wife and 12 children was completely flooded during the 30-hour downpour a week ago. His garage lost valuable tools and equipment and he is now working with his sons to repair the damage done and re-establish his business. "It's food that's a problem now," he told Reuters. "It's difficult to (find the means) to eat now." His family's belongings were all washed away by the floodwaters. Beantakama found a friend that could put his family up. Local people were collecting materials to repair damaged walls and ceilings. although for some this meant starting again. There were no centres for the homeless in the district and many families were living in their damaged homes. Florine Mevasoa's house was structurally damaged and she lost all her possessions. She was still sleeping in this house with her five children but was aware of the danger. "I am still living here. I'm scared but we don't have anywhere to go," she said, expressing the predicament of many. Local government was concerned about the effect on agriculture and rising prices caused by shortages. "Like the other regions of Madagascar, 80 percent of the population are farmers. Now almost all the crops have been destroyed. We are in the process of asking for help and aid from the central government and beyond." Alongside food, access to clean water is a priority and aid agencies have begun to fly in water purifying solutions and buckets. In the town water levels have dropped however. Stagnant waters in more remote areas and those cut off to emergency assistance are increasing the risk of outbreaks of dengue fever. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies appealed on Friday (March 23) for 637,000 U.S. dollars to help Madagascar. Emergency assistance was focusing on temporary shelter and preventive health measures through the provision of tarpaulins, blankets, jerry cans, water purification tablets and other basic relief items, the federation said. Some emergency aid was being delivered by air and sea, officials in Madagascar said.

ITN Source | March 26, 2007

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