TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Table I:Summary of Requirements per Sector

Table II:Summary of Requirements per Organisation

2.CONTEXT AND Needs Analysis

2.1CONTEXT

2.2NEEDS ANALYSIS

3.response plans

3.1FOOD SECURITY

3.2AGRICULTURAL RECOVERY

3.3 HEALTH

3.4NUTRITION

3.5WATER AND SANITATION

3.6 SHELTER AND NON-FOOD ITEMS

3.7 EDUCATION

3.8EARLY RECOVERY

3.9PROTECTION

4.ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ANNEX I. ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

Please note that appeals are revised regularly. The latest version of this document is available on .

1

MADAGASCAR 2007 FLASH APPEAL

1.EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Madagascar Country Team is appealing for US$[1] 9,639,500 to support the Government of Madagascar in its efforts to address the humanitarian needs arising from the tropical storms and floods affecting the country over the past months. The Madagascar Flash Appeal has been developed in partnership with the Malagasy National Office for Disasters Management and Preparedness (BN GRC), through the collaborative efforts of the United Nations (UN) agencies, and international and national humanitarian organisations present in the country.

Madagascar is prone to natural disasters, including endemic drought, flooding and recurrent cyclones, regularly causing damage to the local communities, as well as setbacks of economic growth. The humanitarian implications of these various natural disasters are particularly significant, since Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking number 143 out of 177 countries on the Human Development Index.

Between 24 December 2006 and 26 February 2007, tropical storms Bondo and Clovis, and the intense tropical storms Gamede and Favio, hit various regions of the country. An additional tropical cyclone, Indlala, is due to make landfall on the island shortly. Further deteriorating the overall situation is this year's rainy season, which has broughtexceptional rains to most parts of the island. These conditions have contributed to heavy floodingin largely populated and cultivated areas throughout the country, including the capital region, the northwest, the west, and the southeast. Cyclones, floods and heavy rains have to date left 7 people dead, displaced 33,000 people and have had a detrimental impact on the upcoming harvest of an additional 260,000 people. The food security situation has dramatically deteriorated, and the risk of maternal and child mortality linked to lack of quality of services, and water-borne diseases including cholera, have increased. The situation could further deteriorate, as the cyclone season is only halfway through, bringing the possibility of more adverse weather.

As a result of the extensive response since late December, in-country resources are being exhausted. On 20 February 2007,the Malagasy Government launched an appeal calling for international solidarity and assistance in meeting humanitarian needs stemming from the severe flooding and resulting in, amongst others, increasing malnutrition. As a response to the Government’s appeal, the UN Country Team decided to launch this Flash Appeal, requesting the support of the international community. The Appeal presents a common understanding of humanitarian priorities, based on identified unmet needs. The BN GRC coordinates the relief operations with the support of UN agencies and other partners, while affected line ministries are involved in the planning and response activities.

The beneficiaries of the proposed activities of this Flash Appeal will be 293,000 people affected by cyclones, floods and heavy rains throughout the country. The planning horizon covered is six months, from 15 March to 15 September 2007. The Appeal comprises projects with total budgets amounting to $9,639,500. Of this, $3,001,000 has been funded while the Appeal was under development, leaving a gap of $6,638,500 still to be funded. Funding for the emergency humanitarian needs in this Flash Appeal is also being sought from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).

Table I:Summary of Requirements per Sector

Sector / Total humanitarian requirement / Funding to date / Remaining unfunded requirement
1. Food Security / 5,196,000 / 2,926,000 / 2,270,000
2. Agricultural Recovery / 1,572,500 / 1,572,500
3. Health / 638,000 / 638,000
4. Nutrition / 1,140,000 / 1,140,000
5. Water and sanitation / 538,000 / 538,000
6. NFI - Shelter / 260,000 / 260,000
7. Schools and Education / 125,000 / 125,000
8. Early Recovery / 125,000 / 75,000 / 50,000
9. Protection / 45,000 / 45,000
Grand Total / 9,639,500 / 3,001,000 / 6,638,500

Table II:Summary of Requirements per Organisation

Organisation / Total humanitarian requirement / Funding to date / Remaining unfunded requirement
UNICEF / 1,845,500 / 1,845,500
WFP / 5,076,000 / 2,926,000 / 2,150,000
WHO / 440,500 / 440,500
FAO / 850,000 / 850,000
UNDP / 125,000 / 75,000 / 50,000
UNFPA / 197,500 / 197,500
DWHH (German Agro Action) / 670,000 / 670,000
Catholic Relief Services / 97,500 / 97,500
PSI / 17,500 / 17,500
MEDAIR / 65,000 / 65,000
CARE / 255,000 / 255,000
Grand Total / 9,639,500 / 3,001,000 / 6,638,500

The list of projects and the figures for their funding requirements in this document are a snapshot as of
16 March 2007. For continuously updated information on projects, funding requirements, and contributions to date, visit the Financial Tracking Service (

2.CONTEXT AND Needs Analysis

2.1CONTEXT

Cyclones and the general meteorological situation between the end of December 2006 and February 2007 have resulted in heavy rains and floods that left 7 people dead, displaced 33,000 people (18,000 in the Capital Region, 15,000 in the northwest and west region), and had significant negative impact on the upcoming harvest of an additional 260,000 people (southeast). The flooding situation has furthermore raised the risk of maternal and child mortality linked to lack of quality of services, and water-borne diseases including cholera.

In the southeast region of Vatovavay Fitovinany, 16 counties are facing production losses of up to 80% of the upcoming harvest. Immediate targeted food distribution is required to prevent an acute nutritional crisis among 125,235 affected individuals. The cyclone Gamede, passing offshore Madagascar on 26 February, brought further heavy rains to the southeast of the country, where up to 80% of the population is subsistence farmers. Most families have lost the secondary harvest (January), and were entering the February to May lean season with little or no food reserves. The food insecurity in the August to November lean season will furthermore be increased, as predictions show that the principal May/June harvest will also be negatively impacted.

In most counties assessed, there is imminent food insecurity risk until at least end of May, with a potential failure of the principal rice harvest in June prolonging an already early lean season. Initial necessary emergency food aid initiatives in these counties should be followed by food-for-work (FFW) activities, implemented for a minimum period of three months.

Beneficiary population figures and duration of planned initiatives:

Number of people / Duration of initiatives
People who have lost their homes due to flooding around Antananarivo City / 18,000 / Mid March to April 2007
People who have lost their homes due to flooding in the northwest and the west of Madagascar / 15,000 / Up to November 2007
People affected by floods in the southeast of the country / 260,000 / Up to November 2007

The requirements of the implementing agencies are based on:

i)The capacities and resources currently available in Madagascar;

ii)Assistance already provided;

iii)A consolidated assessment of the priority needs. Of the total people affected, it is estimated that approximately 293,000 are in need of relief actions.

The Flash Appeal will draw on lessons learned in the Humanitarian Reform and the cluster approach to strengthen its current sectoral coordination. This will apply to mobilisation of resources, as well as the implementation of sectoral leadership, in taking up planning and operation responsibilities in concert with other humanitarian partners involved in the response. Requirements have been identified in consultation with the Malagasy national authorities through the Bureau National de Gestion des Risques et Catastrophes (BN GRC), UN Agencies, the Malagasy Red Cross, and international and national humanitarian organisations present in the country.

Since 26 December, ensuring flood relief operations, the BN GRC, supported by partners, has already distributed the following items: 19 metric tonnes (MT) of rice, 250 kg of dried vegetables, 231 rolls of plastic sheeting, 3000 bottles of chlorine, more than 400 tents, large quantities of Non Food Items (NFIs). In addition, 12 emergency health teams are providing a daily routine mobile clinic in the city’s affected areas, and 12 supplementary teams providing services in affected areas outside the capital. The teams are monitoring the situation, conducting epidemiological surveillance, and collecting public health data. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) support the BN GRC in providing NFIs for 18,000 homeless people in the capital, and started a Water, Environment and Sanitation (WES) action in cooperation with the local authorities, Malagasy Red Cross and NGOs (MEDAIR, Cooperation and Relief Everywhere (CARE), Population Services International [PSI]) to provide safe water and sanitation in the areas hosting displaced people in Antananarivo.

2.2NEEDS ANALYSIS

Despite the assumption that operational conditions over the next three months should improve, and although National Authorities have been quick to in their response mobilise response effortsation, there remains the important risk of a further deterioration of the situation remains possible, due to the following risks:

  • Risk of outbreak of cholera from the northwest of the country to the main towns;
  • Spread of malaria epidemic in the south of the country;
  • Dengue fever epidemic over in the north, east and west of the country;
  • Increase of rains or passage of another cyclonic system;
  • The loss of all crops, which will lead to food insecurity in, affected areas.

Any of these scenarios will This will result on commensuratein a deteriorated humanitarian situation, and an increased need for in thehumanitarian assistance requirements.

This These scenariosis are supported identified inby agencies’y field reports and in sectoral information already received from national agencies as well asand their partners. Multi- partners flood situation assessments have been conducted in the southeast of the country,plus and in and around Antananarivo city:

  • Flood situation in Antananarivo: Assessment and weekly monitoring conducted by BN GRC (Govt) with UNICEF, Civil protection corps, Ministry of Health (MoH), Doctors of the World / Médecins du Monde [MDM]). 18,000 people are displaced into tents in 40 locations. Water and sanitation needs, health, public health, NFI needs are identified. Lack of space and high population density in the flooded areas, insufficient sanitation, large surfaces of still water and high level of poverty. High risk of water borne disease outbreak;
  • Flood situation thorough the country: BN GRC’s and the World Food Programme’s (WFP) assessments plus NGOs’ assessments report 15,000 people who have lost their homes due to flooding. They are mostly living in tents or with host families, waiting to return to their homes once water goes down;
  • Southeast floods due to Cyclone Clovis: Assessment conducted early February by the BN GRC with Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Permanent Action Plan Steering Team for Rural Development, WFP, German Agro Action (GAA), National Nutrition Office (ONN), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Système d'Information Rurale et de Sécurité Alimentaire (SIRSA) (monitoring system). The impact of floods on crops, harvest and food security has been evaluated. 260,000 people are affected by the loss of up to 80% of crops in certain locations.

Other sources of recent information:

  • The Malagasy Rice Observatory has conducted situation assessments through all the areas impacted by floods, and have reported of rice needs, lost agricultural land and crops. It also reports on rice market prices evolution (Barometer of rice prices – data papers). In January, the Rice Observatory has indicated initial losses of 63,600 MT of rice designated for household auto-consumption, and 21,000 MT for market sale.
  • The SIRSA -- continuously monitors and reports on the agricultural and food security situation in the country.

Map I:Affected areas – People affected by floods


3.response plans

In recent years, considerable efforts by the BN GRC have improved the reactivity and efficiency of responses to potentially problematic situations.

The UN agencies and their partners are operating within the Government’s framework for disaster response, and are fully supporting the activities of the national authorities capacity in its response. The emergency relief and early recovery operation is divided into three phases, with an understanding that a longer-term response strategy is required to address the impacts on food security and agricultural production (12 months).

With the overall humanitarian goal of reducing avoidable excess morbidity and mortality among disaster-affected populations, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the health cluster will implement the response plans by providing technical, material and logistical support to national authorities, through the BN GRC and the MoH Emergency Services, with a special focus on increasing the capacity of SUCA the (Service of Emergency and Disaster (SUCA) in the - MoH in) responding to the emergencyies.

The Health Cluster will also monitor the timely implementation of the support provided, and the quality of delivery in all aspects of the programme for their efficiency and effectiveness. The activities will be implemented in the three phases as follows:

Phase 1:15 March to the end of April 2007

  • Immediate supply of assistance to those most affected, including food, reproductive health services in emergency situation and other relief items: NFIs, WES, nutritional surveillance, targeted food distribution;
  • Clear emergency roads;
  • Provide all necessary services such as daily mobile medical clinics, and monitoring of primary health care situation and epidemiological surveillance in order to minimise spread of water borne diseases;
  • : In Capital the capital, town by increasing access to safe water and sanitation among the 18, 000 homeless people living in camps;
  • Monitor the condition of already identified victims and assessment of further basic needs, including water, sanitation, medical requirements and damage to key infrastructures;
  • Reinforcement of national coordination structures and their collaboration with the UN system and NGO partners, particularly with respect to information collection, collation and dissemination;
  • Mobilise stakeholders to reach a common understanding of short and long-term requirements as well as ways to cover funding and capacity gaps.

Phase 2:End of April to 30 June 2007

  • Continue supply of food to affected areas;
  • Establish structure and secure resources required to address potential disease outbreaks, especially cholera, measles and malaria, as well as ensuring protection of most vulnerable, protection of women and children, minimise the risk of HIV transmission and of sexually transmissible diseases in general, minimise the risk of sexual violence and exploitation[2], resuming of school;
  • Continue nutritional surveillance in the southeast and start nutritional action as soon as needed;
  • Complete technical assessment of damage to key infrastructure including impact on education and health facilities.

Phase 3:1 July to 15 September 2007

  • Begin Rrehabilitateion of agricultural production capacity in main agricultural producing areas;
  • Restock and pre-position depleted emergency supplies;
  • Continued monitoring of and assistance to food insecure populations;
  • Repairs of schools and health centres.

3.1FOOD SECURITY (Lead: WFP)

Objectives

  1. To provide immediate food assistance to 139,790 flood affected victims for up to 30 days so as to prevent mortality and malnutrition due to displacement and crop loss;
  2. To provide recovery food aid assistance through a combination of FFW / food-for-training (FFT) and targeted distributions to up to 194,970 persons, including moderately malnourished children and pregnant and lactating women, to assist in asset creation and stabilise the overall food security situation.

Strategy

  1. Immediate food assistance for up to 30 days to up to 125,000 people in the southeast, who have lost their harvest. Operations have already commenced been initiated in this zone. Distributions have been targeted to families with children under three, and pregnant women due to resource limitation. Initially a half ration (50% of daily kilocalorie requirement) will be provided for a total of 1,238 MTs. Informal field assessments of the stability of the nutritional situation and WFP resource availability may result in an increase in the ration.
  2. Immediate food assistance to up to 14,790 people who have lost their homes in the northwest and west for up to 30 days. Initially a half ration (50% of daily kilocalorie requirement) will be provided for a total tonnage of 146 MTs. Informal field assessments of the stability of the nutritional situation and WFP resource availability may result in an increase in the ration.
  3. Immediate food assistance will be followed by an initial 3 months of FFW/FFT activities to 180,000 beneficiaries in the south-east, and 14,790 beneficiaries in the northwest and west from April until June. This aims to stabilise the food security situation until the next harvest (June) for beneficiaries who have lost their current harvest and are entering the lean season with no food reserves. Nutritional coverage targeting moderately malnourished individuals will be provided to approximately 5,400 beneficiaries.
  4. A second phase of FFW/FFT will provide continued food assistance to the most vulnerable and most impacted. This will benefit 82,000 persons, of which 2,370 would be children under five,’s or pregnant and lactating women suffering from malnutrition.

Gaps

Total food security needs for the period of April to September 2007 are 9,230 MTs of food aid or $5,.196,000 million. Funding has already been confirmed to WFP from the following sources: WFP multilateral: $697,000, Switzerland: $418,000, Norway $811,000. Currently, WFP is in the process of confirming a $1 million contribution from the European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO). These resources will cover immediate food aid needs and 56% of required medium term needs. Unmet needs are $2,270,000.

Requirements

FOOD SECURITY / $
WFP
MAG-07/F01 / Project title: Flood response food assistance
Objective: Prevention of food insecurity and malnutrition in flood-impacted areas in north western, western and south eastern Madagascar by providing 8,176 MTs of food aid.
Beneficiaries: 194,790 persons
Partners: Agro Action Allemande, Catholic Relief Services, CARE International, Malagasy Red Cross. / 5,076,000
FOOD SECURITY / $
German Agro Action
MAG-07/F02 / Project title: Immediate and medium term flood response in Manajary and Nosy Varika districts of Madagascar (southeast)
Objective: Prevention of food insecurity and malnutrition
Beneficiaries: 125,000 beneficiaries for food distribution, 162,900 beneficiaries benefiting from Food for Work.
Partners: WFP / 120,000

3.2AGRICULTURAL RECOVERY (Lead: FAO)

Objective