Madagascar: Cyclone Gretelle [DHA-03: 18-Feb-97]
Madagascar: Cyclone Gretelle [DHA-03: 18-Feb-97]
United Nations
Department of Humanitarian Affairs
Madagascar-Cyclone Gretelle
DHA Situation Report No.3
18 February 1997
INTERNATIONAL APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE
SITUATION
1. The UN Resident Coordinator in Antananarivo reports
that the population affected by Cyclone Gretelle, that hit
south-east Madagascar on 20-26 January, is now estimated at
500,000-600,000, including 140 fatalities. Affected areas
are the counties of Farafangana, Vohipeno, Vondrozo,
Vangaindrano, Befotaka, and Midongy Sud, all in the region
of Fianarantsoa.
2. In the northern parts of the affected area
(Farafangana, Vohipeno, and Vondrozo), 350,000 persons are
affected primarily by wind damage and some flooding, while
in the southern parts (Vangaindrano, Befotaka, and Midongy)
about 220,000 are touched by significant, widespread, and
prolonged flooding. At least 40,000 still remain cut off
in the counties of Befotaka and Midongy Sud (located 90km
and 140km, respectively, from the nearest accessible road).
3. Contaminated drinking water is posing a serious
health threat, particularly in the county of Vangaindrano.
The cyclone caused heavy loss of food stock, and a negative
impact is feared on the next rice harvest (April and May)
and, possibly, on a long-term agricultural production
capacity. There is a serious problem in accessing the
affected areas, due to poor and vulnerable infrastructure,
further worsened by flood water/mud. A majority (more than
500km) of roads in the areas are blocked by fallen trees.
4. This region had not been hit by cyclones for 41
years and has a very limited disaster preparedness
capacity. Moreover, it has been suffering from endemic
malnutrition, even before Cyclone Gretelle.
NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE
5. The Government has responded to the disaster in a
rapid and coordinated manner. The Ministry of Interior and
the National Relief Council ("NRC") are the main government
entities organizing and coordinating relief efforts. NRC
oversees the work of the Disaster Response Committee
("DRC"), responsible for operational and administrative
coordination. DRC's members also include UNDP, UNICEF,
USAID, the Malagasy Red Cross Society ("MRCS"), CARE, and
Medecins sans Frontiers ("MSF").
6. The local donor community has been mobilized and
participated in relief efforts. While government-organized
overflight assessments began immediately, a flight over the
entire affected area was only possible on 28 January, due
to bad weather. The headquarters for joint operations has
been established in the town of Farafangana, from where
NRC, UNDP, UNICEF, USAID, IFRC/MRCS, MSF, Medecins du Monde
("MDM"), CARE, ADRA, and Secouristes Sans Frontieres
operate.
ON-GOING RELIEF EFFORTS
7. DRC has established sub-committees where relevant
governmental and donor organizations coordinate relief
efforts in different sectors, including health/sanitation/
water, food/nutrition, infrastructure, and rehabilitation.
HEALTH/SANITATION/WATER
8. DRC's health sector sub-committee, composed of the
Ministry of Health, WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, MRCS, MDM, and MSF,
has been established, to assess short, medium, and long-
term needs and coordinate interventions with regards to
health in general, medicines, water, and sanitation. The
sub-committee works in close coordination with local-level
health authorities.
9. Immediately after Cyclone Gretelle hit, the Ministry
of Health and WHO conducted a first assessment. This is
now being followed up by MSF and MDM, both of which have
been active in distributing medicines and providing clean
water.
FOOD/NUTRITION/AGRICULTURE
10. Food -- The sub-committee for food distribution
(composed of NRC, the Ministry of Agriculture, UNDP, WFP,
FAO, and USAID) has developed a food distribution program,
targeting 350,000 persons over a three-month period (which
coincides with the normal cycle for a rice harvest).
11. On 6 February, food distribution, by airlift/
parachuting, started for 40,000 people isolated in the
counties of Befotaka and Midongy, bringing in a total of
130 tons of rice over an initial ten-day period. Under the
overall coordination of NRC and DRC, airlifts were carried
out by the Ministries of Armed Forces and Interior and
IFRC, with funding from EC/ECHO (through IFRC) and food and
logistical support provided by NRC.
12. Nutrition -- UNICEF and MSF are organizing a
nutritional survey scheduled for 24-29 February, results of
which will help determine a target for food distribution.
Already before the Cyclone hit, 30-40 percent of the
population in the affected area was suffering from chronic
malnutrition. The rate of severe malnutrition in this area
is the second highest in Madagascar.
13. Agriculture -- The Ministry of Agriculture and FAO
are conducting an assessment survey of the damage on crops
to determine long-term needs in the agricultural sector.
INFRASTRUCTURE
14. Re-Opening of Roads -- In an effort to improve
access to the affected area, the Ministry of Public Works,
together with CARE, coordinates a cash/food-for-work
program to re-open the seriously damaged 140km-long road
between Vangaindrano and Befotaka.
VULNERABLE GROUP
15. To address the needs of affected children and their
families, UNICEF has so far provided funds and supplies
amounting to USD 48,360 for initial assessments and
immediate response, including the provision of emergency
drug kits, ORS sachets, measles and tetanus vaccines. A
plan of action has been developed by UNICEF and its
partners, to cover requirements in health, nutrition, and
water supply in the 7 districts in Fianarantsoa.
UN-MET ASSISTANCE NEEDS
16. Health/Sanitation -- UN Resident Coordinator reports
that immediate financial needs are met.
17. Food/Nutrition -- A significant food deficit still
exists in the affected region. As required food items are
locally available, cash contributions are needed to procure
rice (1,100 mt per month), vegetables (160 mt per month),
and cooking oil (47 mt per month) for distribution to 350,
000 persons over a three-month period. Total financial
requirements are estimated at USD 2.5-3 million (including
the procurement, handling, transportation, and
distribution). Furthermore, a need for technical
assistance in logistics is foreseen.
18. Infrastructure -- A number of potential donors have
been identified to finance clearing of roads.
19. Vulnerable Group -- Based on UNICEF's Plan of Action
(see also para 15), USD 100,000 is required to provide
assistance in health, nutrition, and water to 500,000
persons, including 95,000 children under age 5. Activities
would focus on mitigating foreseeable outbreak of water-
borne diseases by supplying essential drugs and ORS,
restoring cold chain and vaccination operations, and
repairing damages in the primary health system. Nutrition
surveillance is to be strengthened, and a special feeding
program is to be implemented for children. Decontamination
and disinfection of water sources, as well as repairing of
damaged wells, are also planned to help secure safe
drinking water.
20. Logistics -- The biggest logistical challenge is the
access to 40,000 people isolated in Befotaka and Midongy.
As the re-opening of the road is not envisaged in a short
run and appropriate, accessible landing strips are
unavailable, air-dropping of rice from low altitude is
being attempted. However, only one plane with a limited
capacity is available in Madagascar for this kind of
operation. A transport helicopter and planes have been
made available from the French Government, and a Swiss
missionary society, Helimission, has also made a helicopter
available.
21. Rehabilitation -- The Ministry of Public Works has
assessed the needs for rehabilitating administrative
infrastructure in the town of Farafangana, the biggest
town in the area and the one most seriously hit by wind
damage. Needs are currently estimated at USD 7 million,
though this figure is bound to increase, once damage in
other urban centers and rural areas are assessed.
22. A sub-committee has been established within DRC, to
assess long-term rehabilitation needs.
CONTRIBUTIONS
23. In addition to the contributions reported in the
situation report no. 2, the following contributions have
been notified to DHA:
- Nippon Foundation -- USD 20,000 (through DHA)
- Government of Japan -- 2,040 blankets and 10 tents
(valued at USD 27,835) airlifted from DHA's Pisa Warehouse
- Government of the U.K. -- GBP 38,710
(USD 62,435)provision of plastic sheeting, blankets, and
jerry cans, through CARE).
- IFRC -- clothing (1 tons), food (20 tons of tuna),
water treatment(14,000 tablets of disinfectant),
medicaments, six hospital tents, and five stretchers.
24. According to the UN Resident Coordinator, the
commitments made so far by the Government and the
international community are valued at approximately USD 3
million.
TROPICAL DEPRESSION JOSIE
25. While relief operation continues in south-east of
the island, reports have been received on Tropical
Depression Josie that had hit the northwestern part of
the island on 8-9 February. Assessments are being
carried out, in which the UN Resident Coordinator is
participating.
26. DHA is prepared to serve as a channel for cash
contributions, to be used during the immediate relief
phase, in coordination with relevant organizations of the
UN system. DHA provides donor Governments with written
confirmation on utilizations of the funds contributed.
Contributions may also be made directly to individual UN
agencies.
27. Donors wishing to channel contributions through DHA
may transfer funds to DHA account no. CO.590.160.1 at
Swiss Bank Corporation, Case Postale 2770, CH-1211 Geneva
2, with reference: Madagascar - Cyclone Gretelle.
28. For coordination purposes, donors are requested to
inform DHA Geneva, as indicated below, of bilateral
relief missions/ pledges/ contributions and their
corresponding values by item.
Telephone number: +41-22-917-1234
In case of emergency only: +41-22-917-2010
Desk Officer: Ms. Kayo Gotoh, direct tel: +41-22-917-1258
Press to contact: Ms. M. Moulin-Acevedo
direct tel: +41-22-917-2856
Telex: 41 42 42 dha ch
Fax: +41-22-917-0023
E-Mail: dhagva@dha.unicc.org
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