Cyclone Haruna devastates Madagascar

Tens of thousands of people’s lives have been devastated across the south west of Madagascar after the destructive Tropical Cyclone Haruna swept across the country.

Torrential rains and winds of up to 200km/hour destroyed thousands of families homes and ruined crops and water points. The force of the rising sea burst a major dam north of Tulear, causing water to flood the city and surrounding rural community.

With water points flooded and contaminated, families are in desperate need of safe drinking water, to prevent the spread of waterborne disease.

Action Against Hunger teams based in Madagascar have launched an immediate emergency response.  A plane carrying 15 tons of emergency supplies, including water tanks, pumps and purification treatments, landed yesterday.

Action Against Hunger’s Country Director in Madagascar, Sophie Cazade, says: “Most families were able to flee in time, leaving all their belongings behind. Others took refuge on the roofs of their homes, which are threatened with collapse.”

Fields of crops were also destroyed in the cyclone, which occurred just a few weeks before harvest – a time when food reserves are exhausted.  Action Against Hunger teams are deeply concerned of the impact the lost harvest will have on communities food security.

Beyond the immediate emergency, teams will support affected communities in regaining their independence as quickly as possible.

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