OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Madagascar - Floods
15 March 2005


1.  Situation

Heavy rains have poured on northern Madagascar during the first week of
March, which have resulted in flooding. The most affected areas are the
Alaotra and Mangoro regions near Ambatondrazaka in the eastern Toamasina
Province, and the Boeny and Sofia regions in the western Mahajanga
Province.

Based on reports from the local authorities, the national body for
disaster management (Centre National de Secours ? CNS) estimates that
more than 41,000 persons have been affected by the floods. As many as 13
people have lost their lives and 7,700 have been displaced from their
homes. In addition, the CNS reports that more than 32,500 hectares of
agricultural land have been flooded, which may partially affect the
agricultural production.

On Thursday 10 March, the CNS organised an overflight in the
Ambatondrazaka region, in collaboration with UN agencies, which landed
in two locations (Amborompotsy and Vohitsara). In Vohitsara, the mission
found that 7,000 persons have been affected and that education
activities have been interrupted to allow the accommodation of homeless
populations in school buildings. The local health authorities are also
concerned with outbreaks of diarrhoea and malaria. In addition, road
communications have been negatively affected by the floods: transport of
assistance from the capital to the region's administrative centre takes
between two and three days.
>From there, assistance needs to be transported on pirogues to the
>affected
locations.

2.  Immediate needs

Food assistance, non-food items, water purification, medicaments and
medical supplies, and tents are needed, as well as logistical support,
such as zodiacs.

3.  Response

Needs of affected populations are expected to be covered with in-country
resources from the Malagasy government and its partners.

The government has been providing food, non-food and medical assistance
with support from UNICEF, WFP, CRS, and German Agro Action since 4
March. The Malagasy army has provided logistical support.

The Malagasy Red Cross, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) and Population
Services International (PSI) are also planning interventions.

The authorities have scheduled a second overflight in the Boeny and
Sofia regions in the western part of the county on Monday 14 March.

4.  Coordination

Disaster response coordination is handled through the Centre National de
Secours in the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reform. Support
is coordinated by the UN Resident Coordinator through the UN Theme Group
on Disaster Prevention and Management.

On-site coordination is handled by the Administrative Heads of Regions.

5.  Contact

   Mr. Bouri Sanhouidi
     UN Resident Coordinator: + 261 20 22 366 50

   Mr. Oscar Sarroca
     WFP Country Director and Chair of the UN Theme Group on Disaster
     Prevention and Management: + 261 20 22 308 33


6.  This situation report, together with further information on ongoing
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int

Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only:  Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
   Mr. Noel Tsekouras
   Mr. Michel N. Kassa
     Direct Tel. +41-22-917 2163

Press contact:
   GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
   NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, direct Tel. +1-917-367 5126

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