OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Madagascar: Nutritional Crisis in Vangaindrano District
18 November 2005


1. Context

The southern part of Madagascar is plagued by chronic food insecurity. 
This year, factors, such as repeated floods in the coastal areas in 
early 2005, insect infestation and drought, have affected rice and sweet 
potato production, resulting in acute levels of food insecurity in the 
South-Eastern Region (Atsimo Atsinanana). The lack of a clove harvest 
due to the biannual cycle of the crop is thought to reduce opportunities 
of cash income and further exacerbate the already precarious situation.

2. Situation

In late October 2005, reports from local authorities indicated a 
deterioration of the food security situation and cases of famine in 12 
communes of Vangaindrano District in South Eastern Region. Accordingly, 
the Malagasy authorities and their humanitarian partners decided to 
carry out an assessment in the same region under the auspices of the 
Conseil National de Secours (CNS) National Relief Council .

Inter-agency teams, including representatives from the CNS, ONN Office 
National pour la Nutrition ? National Office for Nutrition, under the 
coordination of CNS.Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, UNICEF, 
WFP, German Agro-Action (AAA), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), CARITAS, 
and the Rural Food Security Information System (SIRSA) conducted the 
assessment on 7 and 8 November. As an immediate response, WFP authorized 
AAA to use excess stock to provide food aid to 65 children with a MUAC 
<125mm in the village of Matanga.

In total, 1800 children were evaluated, using mid-upper arm 
circumference measurements (MUAC), in six of the 12 affected communes.

The results from the assessment indicate global acute malnutrition rates 
averaging 50 per cent and severe acute malnutrition rate averaging 13 
percent.  Malnutrition rates in the southern part of the district are 
higher than in the northern part. Accordingly, the total number of 
acutely malnourished children may be as high as 14,000, of whom 
approximately 3,700 are severely malnourished.

3. Immediate needs

Nutritional assistance is required, as well food assistance, non-food 
items, drugs, tents, and logistical support.

4. Response

With the CNS the ONN, and the Region ensuring coordination of the 
response, the government is planning to initiate food, non-food and 
medical support interventions before the end of the week, with support 
from UNICEF, WFP, AAA, Caritas, and CRS.

WFP is providing approximately 300 Mt of food aid that will be 
channelled through AAA, Caritas and CRS initially through targeted food 
distribution activities for 7800 families with children who are 
seriously at risk and then through the CRENA/CRENI Daily and Intensive 
Nutritional Rehabilitation Centers set up and managed by UNICEF. Some 
200 Mt is envisioned to be distributed as take home rations for primary 
students.

In addition to providing food support for targeted distributions and 
nutrition, WFP will scale up food for work activities in the region in 
partnership with the ONN.

Additionally CRS will provide some food aid of its own resources, UNICEF 
will complement with sugar and oil, and provide training to implementing 
NGOs in the measurement of MUAC.

UNICEF will support the Ministry of Health to set up five therapeutic 
and supplementary feeding centres. Each therapeutic feeding centre will 
have capacity to treat 100 hospitalised and 200 ambulatory children, 
while supplementary feeding centres will cater for approximately 1,000 
children each.

The Ministry of Health will strengthen the capacity of local health 
centres by augmenting the number of medical doctors in order to address 
the increased disease burden.

5. Coordination

Response coordination is under the responsibility of the Conseil 
National de Secours in the Ministry of Interior and Administrative 
Reform. The Region will coordinate the activities on the ground. UN 
response is coordinated by the UN Resident Coordinator through the UN 
Theme Group on Disaster Prevention and Management, with the support of 
an OCHA Humanitarian Affairs Officer.

On-site coordination will come from CNS field personnel and regional 
staff.

6. Constraints

The government and its partners are planning to address the needs of 
affected populations, using in-country resources. However, concerns 
exist over the scarcity of resources, as the budgetary year is coming to 
an end, and much of available resources have been drained by a previous 
nutritional emergency crisis in the southern area of Manantenina.

The cost of nutrition activities alone is estimated at approximately USD 
570,000.

In view of the above, the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reform 
is considering the issuance of a letter to partner agencies to formally 
request their assistance to support government's efforts to address the 
situation.

7. 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

Ms Barbara Bentein, UNICEF Representative: +261 20 22 206 38

Mr. Jeremie Toussaint
OCHA Natural Disasters Response Coordination: + 261 32 074 66 68


8. 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: +41-22-917 2010

Desk Officers:
  Mr. Alfred Nabeta  +41-22-917 2732
  Mr. Jamie McGoldrick +41-22-917 1712

Press contact:
  GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
  NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker direct Tel. +1-917-367 51 26

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