Rapid Response Payment Request No. 2/2009
Funds Sent To: Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (SAF/FJKM)
Amount Sent: US$ 58,368
Date: 23 January 2009
Details of Response
Emergency: Cyclone in Madagascar
Date of Emergency: 19 January 2009
Implementing Member: Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (SAF/FJKM)
DETAILS OF THE EMERGENCY
The two cyclones Eric and Fanele have devastated Madagascar since 19 January, 2009. Cyclone Eric entered on land in Fénérive Est, in the province of Toamasina and progressed along the coastal line through the area of Antsimo Antsinanana. The second cyclone hit the western part of Madagascar near the channel of Mozambique and entered on land in Morondava on 21 January, 2009. Both cyclones brought abundant rains and massive flooding in most parts of Madagascar.
On 21 January, 2009, the National Office for Catastrophe and Risk Management (Bureau National pour la Gestion des Risques et Catastrophes - BNGRC) has provided us with the following information regarding the most affected areas:
Cyclone Eric
District name / Emergency indicators
Mandritsara / 40% of the low lying areas are flooded; 13 Villages in the Urban District and 06 are flooded; a number of disaster victims in the morning of the 20/01/09 were reported; 164 of 244 victims are without shelter and hosted in the Catholic Church; 50 in the Commune hall and 30 in the office of the village chief.
Fénérive / Damages: Plantations of cassava and bananas; School buildings; Roads; Electrical poles
Sainte Marie / Damages: Plantations of cassava and bananas; School buildings; Roads; Electrical poles
Villages in the districts of Mananjary, Farafangana, Nosy Varika and Manakara are flooded
Cyclone Fanele
Miandrivazo, Ihorombe, Mahabo, Morondava, Morombe, Toliara I and II / According to the weather report special N°011/06 of this day:
Cyclone FANELE intensified and became intense tropical cyclone generating strong winds reaching 180Km/h in these districts mentioned.
On the night of the 20/01/09, cyclone FANELE entered the land in between the districts of Morondava and Morombe.
ACTIONS TO DATE, AND EMERGENCY NEEDS
A new disaster management plan was put in place this year and is expected to ensure a quicker response by local authorities. Relief packages of tents, water pumps and food have been distributed in advance and workers are trying to restore water and electricity supplies for some 80,000 homes. Despite the support which was already provided to the most vulnerable population there is still a need for further assistance mainly in the sectors of health, food and shelter related aspects to safe lives of the affected population.
PROPOSED EMERGENCY RESPONSE
For SAF/FJKM, and in agreement with the National Office of Risks and Catastrophes, the main priority is to alleviate the human suffering of the victims and mitigate the effects of the cyclone/flood on the affected communities through the following activities:
1. Distributions of food (rice) in the flooded districts;
2. Distribution of clothing;
3. Distribution of blankets;
4. Distribution of the mosquito nets;
5. Distribution of drugs.
OBJECTIVE(S) OF THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE
To safe lives and to reduce the vulnerability of the most seriously affected communities in the aras which were most affected by the cyclones.
TARGET POPULATIONS
Distribution of food: People without shelters, Elderly, Handicapped, Widows
Distribution of clothing and blankets: People without shelter, Elderly, Handicapped, Widows, Children less than 10 years old.
Distribution of the mosquito nets and drugs current: Most vulnerable people (drugs)
PROPOSED ASSISTANCE
As assessed by the National Office of Risks and Catastrophes the most urgent support is needed in the sectors of health and emergency relief. SAF/FJKM will focus on the health sector with the aim to reduce the spread of diseases and on emergency interventions in providing a minimum of food, clothes and shelter related items to the victims of the disaster.
Activities / Life-saving aspect / Number of beneficiaries
Rice distribution / 5 kg per person / 10,000 persons
Clothing distribution / 1 unit per person / 1,000 persons
Blanket distribution / 1 unit per family / 1,000 families
Mosquito net / 1 unit per family / 500 families
Medicines (drugs) / Depending on medical prescriptions / 500 sick persons
IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS
During the crises phase of the emergency, the communities affected by the cyclones will be involved in organizing the emergency response with the support of the local church pastors and village leaders. A classification of the victims will be established, to avoid unfair distributions. After the crises, an evaluation will quickly be undertaken to identify and prioritize activities which need to be followed up. This will ensure that the support will continue towards a sustainable development.
COORDINATION
At the National level, the government agency, BNGRC will monitor and coordinate the activities. The implementing partners, of which SAF/FJKM is one of them, will work hand in hand in the implementation of emergency activities ensuring and harmonizing the distribution of relief supplies as well as identifying possible further needs. Status reports will be compiled and issued according to ACT requirements. SAF/FJKM will make us of its already established units in all the regions affected by the damage.
COMMUNICATIONS
• Government supported by its decentralized structures will collect and give up to-date information and the Meteorological Department will regularly provide data on climatic situations;
• The main radio station is constantly sensitizing the population to take adequate measures for self-protection;
• For the SAF/FJKM, the committee that is set up will collect information and data for SAF central to compile a consolidated report for further humanitarian assistance;
• During the implementation there is a committee set up who will help the SAF personnel in all the areas with technical and financial management and in the preparation of reports.
PLANNED IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD
This emergency program of help and rehabilitation is for 3 months. The implementation is to be carried out in one phases, in which the items to safe-lives will be distributed.
Actions:
- Distributions of food (rice) for the flooded districts
- Distribution of clothing and blankets
- Distribution of the mosquito nets and drugs
Duration: 3 months
Sectors: Actions of emergency help
FINANCIAL REQUEST
In order to finance this emergency response we would like to request 58,368 USD. A detailed breakdown of the cost can be found in the budget.
(For the detailed budget, kindly visit the ACT site. Thank you.)
ACTION
The ACT Co-ordinating Office has approved the use of 58,368 USD towards the budget from its Rapid Response Fund and would be grateful to receive contributions to wholly or partially replenish this payment.
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ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide.The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
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