Tropical Storm Honde struck Madagascar on March 2, displacing 21,600 people, with three dead and one missing. The storm caused extensive damage to homes and schools, particularly in Toliara and Ampanihy. The government and humanitarian partners are mobilizing resources for aid efforts, as Honde moves away from the coast and is expected to weaken.
Tropical Storm Honde impacted Madagascar on March 2, displacing approximately 21,600 people across various southern cities, particularly in Toliara, Belo sur Tsiribihina, and Ampanihy. Initial fatalities include three deaths and one person reported missing, alongside 69 injuries. The storm caused severe damage, affecting over 7,200 homes, with significant disruptions to local schools, complicating their operational readiness.
The cyclone created hazardous conditions by flooding homes, with 913 houses damaged and 1,924 completely destroyed. Emergency responders are currently providing assistance, including shelter for the displaced in 54 accommodation sites. After impacting the coast, Tropical Storm Honde is now moving southeast and is expected to weaken and dissipate further after March 6.
The storm developed in the southern Mozambique Channel, intensifying into a tropical storm by February 26 and approaching Madagascar’s Toliara Province two days later. This area had already faced significant rainfall prior to the storm, exacerbating the situation further. Notably, adverse weather conditions were recorded in mid-February, leading to extensive flooding across various localities, including the capital, Antananarivo.
In response to the disaster, humanitarian efforts are being coordinated by the government, with ongoing search and rescue operations. Aid partners are providing essential supplies such as food, hygiene kits, and medical assistance. A helicopter was deployed from Antananarivo to rescue stranded individuals in the Ampanihy District, supporting the most affected communities.
Food security initiatives have delivered 30 metric tons of rice and 7 metric tons of oil to the Ampanihy District, sufficient for displaced persons for five days. Additional supplies, including non-food items, water treatment supplies, and health materials, are being transported to the affected areas as humanitarian partners call for more resources due to strained inventories.
Coordination meetings involving the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and local authorities took place to strategize the response. A comprehensive stock mapping exercise has been conducted to assess available supplies in the southwest, drawing from resources allocated for drought and food insecurity responses, ensuring preparedness for ongoing cyclone threats.
Tropical Storm Honde has resulted in significant human suffering, displacement, and infrastructure damage in southern Madagascar. Ongoing humanitarian efforts are focused on providing critical support and resources to affected populations, although there are challenges in maintaining adequate supplies due to back-to-back disasters. Continued coordination between government and humanitarian agencies is essential to address immediate needs and prepare for future emergencies.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
