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Madagascar

ACT Appeal Madagascar: Cyclone Relief AFMG-41

Attachments

Appeal Target: US$ 416,908
Geneva, 27 February 2004

Dear Colleagues,

October to April is the cyclone season for the south-western part of the Indian Ocean. Elita was the first cyclone of 2003-2004 to make landfall in Madagascar. Between 26 January and 4 February 2004, Elita hit Madagascar several times causing severe damage in five out of the six provinces of the island: Majunga, Antananarivo, Fianarantsoa, Tamatave and Tuléar. Subsequent heavy rains and floods marooned several areas, making it difficult to obtain information about the effects and urgent humanitarian needs.

Preliminary damage assessments data indicate widespread damage to crops and schools and severe damage along the west coast especially at Mahajanga, Morondava, Maintirano and Mahabo. These estimates. Data collected by the CNS (12 February 2004) indicate:

  • 29 people killed, 4 missing, 102 wounded;

  • over 44 800 people are homeless with over 10, 000 homes, 282 administrative buildings, 373 schools, 33 churches, and 55 hospitals or health centres damaged or destroyed;

  • 93 % of the homeless are in Mahajanga and Toliara provinces, with the sub-prefectures of Maintirano in Mahajanga province (14,000 homeless) and Mahabo in Toliara province (16,700 homeless) being particularly hard hit.

  • At least 39 bridges were damaged or destroyed.

  • Crop damage is potentially extensive across much of western, central, and south-eastern Madagascar.

The damage estimates will undoubtedly rise dramatically as additional data becomes available.

ACT member The Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (FJKM), Department for Development (SAF/FJKM) is proposing assistance comprising: food assistance through food-for-work projects (community infrastructure); shelter; food security and some disaster preparedness training for community leaders.

Project Completion Date: 30 September 2004

Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance Requested US$

Total Appeal Target(s)
416,908
Less: Pledges/Contr. Recd.
Balance Requested from ACT Network
416,908

Please kindly send your contributions to the following ACT bank account:

Account Number - 240-432629.60A (USD)
Account Name: ACT - Action by Churches Together
UBS AG
8, rue du Rhône
P.O. Box 2600
1211 Geneva 4
SWITZERLAND
Swift address: UBSW CHZH12A

Please also inform the Finance Officer Jessie Kgoroeadira (direct tel. +4122/791.60.38, e-mail address jkg@act-intl.org) of all pledges/contributions and transfers, including funds sent direct to the implementers, now that the Pledge Form is no longer attached to the Appeal.

We would appreciate being informed of any intent to submit applications for EU, USAID and/or other back donor funding and the subsequent results. We thank you in advance for your kind cooperation.

Thor-Arne Prois
Director, ACT
Co-ordinating Office

I. REQUESTING ACT MEMBER INFORMATION

The Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (FJKM), Department for Development (SAF/FJKM)

II. IMPLEMENTING ACT MEMBER & PARTNER INFORMATION

FJKM's roots are with the Quakers, the London Missionary Society (LMS) and the Mission Protestante Française (MPF). In 1968, these three groups came together and formed the Fiangonan'i Jesoa Kristy eto Madagasikara (Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar - FJKM). In 1974, the FJKM formed the Sampan' Asa momba ny Fampandrosoana (Department for Development - SAF/FJKM) as its relief and development arm to address needs in Madagascar. The FJKM via SAF/FJKM (167 staff) works with over 600 peasant organisations in the areas of health, safe drinking water, environmental issues, women's development, rural income-generating activities.

As of 2003, SAF/FJKM is working with the State to implement projects designed to alleviate the effects of the 2002 crisis. Periodic evaluations have led SAF/FJKM to adopt its current Participatory Rural Assessment (PRA) approach in its community development strategy.

The experience of the SAF/FJKM Emergency and Relief Program includes:

  • Post cyclone interventions - after the passage of cyclones Geralda (1994), Bonita (1996), Gretelle (1997), Eline, Gloria and Hudah (2000-2001), Kesiny (2002) and Manou (2003);
  • Intervention during the drought in 1990-1991 in the southern part of Madagascar ;
  • Intervention during the cholera epidemic in 2000 in the western part of Madagascar ;
  • Training on preparedness against the passage of cyclones and health education against cholera in high-risk areas (23 districts)

III. DESCRIPTION of the EMERGENCY SITUATION

Background

October to April is the cyclone season for the south-western part of the Indian Ocean. Elita was the first cyclone of 2003-2004 to make landfall in Madagascar. Between 26 January and 4 February 2004, Elita hit Madagascar several times causing severe damage in five out of the six provinces of the island: Majunga, Antananarivo, Fianarantsoa, Tamatave and Tuléar. Winds were reported to have reached gusts over 200 km/h. Subsequent heavy rains and floods marooned several areas, making it difficult to obtain information about the effects and urgent humanitarian needs.

Description of the Situation in the Area of Proposed Response

Due to problems of communication in Madagascar, it is impossible to gather reliable and complete information about the situation in such a short time. The Conseil National de Secours (CNS), co-ordinated by the Ministry of the Interior, is still in the process of collecting information from affected areas and preparing disaster assistance. Because Elita affected more than half of the island, it will undoubtedly take longer than usual for the data to be made available.

Impact on Human Lives - Cyclone Elita affected over half of Madagascar's population of 16 million. Current damage assessments data indicate widespread damage to crops and schools and severe damage along the west coast especially at Mahajanga, Morondava, Maintirano and Mahabo.

Description of Damages - Preliminary damage assessment data collected by the CNS (12 February 2004) indicates the following:

  • 29 people were killed, 4 missing, 102 wounded;
  • Over 44 800 people are homeless;
  • Over 10 000 homes, 282 administrative buildings, 373 schools, 33 churches, and 55 hospitals or health centres were damaged or destroyed;
  • 93 % of the homeless are in Mahajanga and Toliara provinces, with the sub-prefectures of Maintirano in Mahajanga province (14,000 homeless) and Mahabo in Toliara province (16,700 homeless) being particularly hard hit.
  • At least 39 bridges were damaged or destroyed.
  • The damage estimates will undoubtedly rise dramatically as additional data becomes available. For example, no information on schools, hospitals, and churches damaged or destroyed is available at this time for both Maintirano and Mahabo sub-prefectures.
  • In Mahajanga 5 boats sank and 2 disappeared.
  • Crop damage is potentially very extensive across much of western, central, and south-eastern Madagascar.

Security situation in the area of proposed response - There are no particular problems of security in Madagascar at this time.

Locations of proposed response

  • MAHAJANGA Province: Antsohihy; Port Bergé, Marovoay, Maevatanana, Mahajanga, Maintirano, Mandritsara
  • ANTANANARIVO Province: Anjozorobe, Tsiroanomandidy, Soavinandriana, Ambatolampy,
  • FIANARANTSOA Province: Fianarantsoa, Mananjary, Manakara,
  • TOLIARY Province: Toliary

These localities have been chosen because of the permanent presence of SAF's development workers there. Implementation will be much easier.

IV. TARGETED BENEFICIARIES

The targeted beneficiaries are the most vulnerable families who have lost their means of subsistence (rural peasants farmers), those that have lost their homes, and communities that have lost their churches, schools and clinics.

Number and Type of Targeted Beneficiaries

  • 6,000 affected victims
  • 1,125 homeless families

Criteria for Selection

Beneficiaries will be the most vulnerable affected identified by SAF development workers in co-ordination with community leaders.

V. PROPOSED EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE & IMPLEMENTATION

Goals :

To assist the most vulnerable persons affected by the cyclone to regain their normal way of life and livelihood.

To assist in the prevention of any epidemics that may occur due lack of basic medicines.

To implement disaster prevention and mitigation strategies which will prepare them to better address future emergence situations

Objectives :

To provide basic food relief for 6,000 persons as well as provisions for the Food for Work (FFW) programmes - rehabilitation of community infrastructure to rehabilitate community infrastructure (road, churches, schools). The FFW participants will be provided with 5 kilos of rice, 0,5 litre of oil, 1 kilo of bean, 1 kilo of sugar per day for an 8-day period..

To provide shelter for 1,125 families by providing temporary shelter kits which contain 1 bucket, 1 jug, 2 bags of cement, 4 sheets of metal.

Control any threat of epidemic through the provision of medicines.

Disaster Preparedness through provision of training to community leaders and some SAF development workers in disaster assessment techniques, prevention and mitigation strategies

Rehabilitation of community infrastructure.

Food security through:

  • Provision of seeds to restart agricultural activities

  • Construction of 3 warehouses within the affected regions (Maintirano, Port Bergé, and one in Fianarantsoa region)

  • Stock reconstitution - 100,000 kilos of needs (rice, beans) in Tuléar, Mananjary, Fenerive-est, Anjozorobe, Maroantsetra, Mananara, Sambava, Amparafaravola, Maintirano, Port Bergé and Fianarantsoa.

Activities

Crisis

Distribution of 30,000 kilos of rice and 6,000 kilos of beans, 3,000 litres of oil, 6,000 kilos of sugar to each of 6, 000 identified affected victims through Food For Work (FFW) programmes to rehabilitate community infrastructure (road, churches, schools). The FFW participants will be provided with 5 kilos of rice, 0,5 litre of oil, 1 kilo of bean, 1 kilo of sugar per day for an 8-day period..

Post-crisis

To provide 1,125 families with temporary shelter kits which contain 1 bucket, 1 jug, 2 bags of cement, 4 sheets of metal.

To supply 15 SAF units with 1.750.000 MGF for medicine

To train community leaders and some SAF development workers in disaster assessment techniques, prevention and mitigation strategies

To provide 1,125 families with seeds.

Rehabilitation of 40 community infrastructures.

To construct 3 warehouses to promote food security within the affected regions (Maintirano, Port Bergé, and one in Fianarantsoa region)

Stock reconstitution : 100,000 kilos of needs (rice, beans) in Tuléar, Mananjary, Fenerive-est, Anjozorobe, Maroantsetra, Mananara, Sambava, Amparafaravola, Maintirano, Port Bergé and Fianarantsoa.

Project Implementation methodology

The 10 SAF staff and the 360 contracted labourers with 15 voluntary persons will distribute the foods and seeds to the identified affected victims.

The Food For Work Programmes (FFW) for 1,125 families, will be supervised by 15 SAF unit workers and the 360 contracted day labourers. FFW projects will be decided upon by the Peasant Organisations and existing community leadership and will involve repairing and rehabilitation of roads, schools, clinics and churches. FFW participants will be selected by the Peasant Organisations in the affected areas supervised by the SAF staff.

Training in Disaster Assessment procedures and culturally, environmentally appropriate prevention and mitigation strategies will be carried out by the SAF Disaster Relief Co-ordinator and specialists from CNS. Participants will be SAF community development promoters and community leaders from areas affected. The training will be scheduled to begin in June and will be concluded by September

Provision of rice, beans, oil, sugar to 2,350 families, the rice will be purchased in Alaotra (granary region of Madagascar) and the others in the wholesale and transported to the affected areas. The transportation cost will be covered by the appeal, but the handling, storage and the warehousing will be in charge of the local development workers.

The basic resettlement kit, shelter kits and infrastructure rehabilitation will be purchased in Toamasina and transported to the affected areas. The 10 SAF Staff, supported by the 360 contracted day labourers with 15 voluntary persons will distribute the kits to the affected families.

Inputs for project implementation

Material and human resources needed for implementation:

Staff:

1 Programme Director : Co-ordination and monitoring

1 Assistant to assist the programme director in collecting information (data) about the project implementation in the affected area; to follow-up the progress and to train the volunteers on the field

1 Accountant Secretary : in charge of the administrative and financial aspect of the project

1 Driver

15 Volunteers : they are some of the SAF Unit responsible in the field in Madagascar. They carry out sensitisation programmes and follow-up distribution, food-delivery, rehabilitation and building.

1 National Director in charge of the relationship with all partners including ACT

Transportation : means of transportation of commodities and staff

1 pick-up vehicle for follow-up

Planning assumptions, constraints and prioritisation

The main assumptions behind the planning are

  • To provide the victims with the most urgently needed basic items.
  • To return socio-economic activities and life style to normal
  • To rehabilitate socio-economic infrastructures
  • To strengthen the prevention, disaster assessment techniques

Prioritisation of the activities if not all funding is received.

1. Food distribution through FFW
2. Resettlement kits distribution
3. Housing rehabilitation
4. Seeds distribution
5. Stock reconstitution
6. Disaster Training
7. Warehouse construction

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