MADAGASCAR DECLARES FLOOD DISASTER

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000177 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/E, MBEYZEROV AID/W FOR DCHA/OFDA-SKHANDAGLE, KLUU, GGOTTLIEB, AFERRARA, CPRATT FOR DCHA/FFP/DP - SDOSHANJH, PNOVICK AFR/EA - OCOLE PRETORIA USAID/OFDA/SARO - HHALE NAIROBI FOR USAID/EA/FFP - NESTES, DGORDON ROME FOR FODAG GENEVA FOR RMA, DHA, IFRC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREL SOCI SENV MA SUBJECT: MADAGASCAR DECLARES FLOOD DISASTER ¶1. With tens of thousands of Malagasy displaced by flooding from the worst rainy season in recent memory, Foreign Minister Marcel Ranjeva convened donors February 20 to coordinate the ongoing humanitarian response and make an appeal for emergency assistance. FonMin Ranjeva affirmed the GOM had made a formal disaster declaration and is seeking USD 242 million in aid, given that three-quarters of Madagascar had received much higher than average rainfall since December. Government Actions -------------- ¶2. FonMin Ranjeva and colleagues from the National Office of Risk and Disaster Management began the presentation to donors with an overview of Government actions to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the flooding. Following recommendations from the 2005 Kobe Conference, the GOM has implemented a warning network for communities in the path of cyclones; this system has limited deaths from flooding to fewer than 100 to date. Materials, shelters, emergency rations and medications have been pre-positioned around Madagascar so victims can be quickly assisted even if roadways are blocked. Key roads and bridges have been reinforced. Rivers were dredged and drainage systems were cleared of debris to facilitate rainfall runoff. Thousands Displaced, Crops Lost, Infrastructure Cut -------------- -------------- ¶3. In an impassioned presentation that included a short film clip produced by National Television, Ranjeva reported over 30,000 Malagasy had been displaced by flooding, 17,000 in Antananarivo alone. An estimated 80,000 hectares of rice cultivation has been lost, which will cause a shortage of about 200,000 tons in the coming months. The Minister reported that many areas of Madagascar have already received three to four times the average normal rainfall for this season. ¶4. Ranjeva reported damage to ports, administrative buildings, national road networks, and bridges throughout the country which hindered relief efforts and commerce in general. Plea for USD 242 Million in Emergency Assistance -------------- --- ¶5. Minister Ranjeva completed his talk with a well-orchestrated plea for USD 242 million in emergency assistance from the international community, which in part included needs in the following areas (all amounts in USD): -- 7 million for medications for displaced persons; -- 9 million for rice for displaced persons; -- 80 million to repair infrastructure; -- 8 million to repair schools; -- 56 million to repair hospitals and clinics (half considered immediate need; half "long term"); -- 45 million to restore farmlands with seeds and irrigation; -- 2 million to restore fishing communities; -- 18 million to repair hundreds of dikes, clear debris, and rebuild administrative buildings. ¶6. French Ambassador Le Roy answered the call by pledging 700,000 euros (USD one million) for food security assistance. The African Development Bank pledged USD 500,000 in emergency assistance, and the European Union promised an unspecified amount to rebuild roads. MCGEE