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05 March 2008
17:57:00 o'clock GMT
Appeal for aid - 5 March
Hurricanes Ivan and Fame have violently hit Madagascar. USD 36.5 million dollars are needed for reconstruction.
"At the moment, only 6 million are available. The rest is not yet
covered, "said yesterday at Pano-rama, Jean Marie Stratigos, emergency
coordinator in the UN. He presented the document Flash Appeal.
"This document is a mobilization of funds to support the acceleration
of research funds for post-hurricane reconstruction," says Ka-mara
Amadou, representative of FAO. "The priorities concerning food security
and nutrition as 200000 people are in need of immediate assistance,"
said the representative. Then comes the drinking water sector which
more than 5 million are needed, and the prevention of epidemics and the
health sector. "Madagascar can only congratulate the United Nations for
this support," said General Marcel Ranjeva, Minister of Foreign
Affairs. Currently, the stock of the two hurricanes reported 96 deaths
across the island and over 200000 affected.
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17:55:48 o'clock GMT
5 March - pollution
Garbage
The
resident population of the dam of Andramiarana filed a complaint with
the common Antehiroka. She denounced the dumping of garbage into the
nearby pond.
The waste threatens to pollute the water.
The dumping of Andramiarana situated along the embankment of the same
name, has been the subject of a complaint from the local population,
last month. The garbage piles up on an area of two hundred meters along
the junction between the city of Ambohitrimanjaka that of Antehiroka.
The community that needs water Andramiarana feels thus threatened by
the pollution caused by such debris who earn the nearby pond. A portion
of this irrigated pond is converted into rice paddies, and the other is
used for farming and brickmaking. Pierre Rakotoson, a resident, adding
that the dumping of human waste in the water appears to be an abuse of
power. The substance of the complaint has alarmed officials of the
municipality of Antehiroka. Since February 25, the council has
installed a checkpoint at the entrance of the dump trucks to prevent
illegal immigrants from entering. "The leaders of this county are
considering among other vidoir this move," says Martin Ratsimandresy,
communal police to Antehiroka.
This territory has always been the
place to dump garbage in the municipality. Without surveillance,
individuals have taken the opportunity to infiltrate them, aggravating
the situation because they scatter debris, according to the remarks of
Peter Rakotoson.
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17:54:04 o'clock GMT
5 March
After Hurricane Ivan
Desolation to Analanjirofo
After
Hurricane Ivan, the worst is yet to come. In the region Analanjirofo,
for example, the rice fields are devastated, breadfruit trees will not
fruit this year. Warning Signs runners famine.
The devastation wrought by Hurricane "Ivan" weigh heavy for the region's economy.
Anxiety in the region Analanjirofo. The aftermath of Hurricane Ivan
will not to affect the survival of the local population. The
destruction of crops could jeopardize the harvest for this year. For
now, the victims are trying to survive thanks to the stocks for the
lean period and humanitarian aid granted by the state after the
disaster.
"The food crisis will occur in a few weeks. All crops
are destroyed. The region will be hit by famine, "said Nathalie Mena, a
resident of the fokontany Manakambahiny, in the rural commune of
Ambodimangan'i to Be Fénerive East. "The destruction of subtitution
crops such as cassava, fruit bread and annuity products are making the
situation worse. It no longer any source of money to remedy the
situation, at least for one year, "she adds.
Yet Nathalie did not
slow the arms. It has to find a solution to get up. It plans to restart
with gardening, which it said creates less expenditure. "The culture of
brèdes is the only source of quick money even if it does not cover our
annual needs," she says.
Lack of rice
The region
Analanjirofo turned into a scene of devastation after Hurricane Ivan,
on 17 and 18 February. The green has been replaced by tree trunks
uprooted.
The devastation wrought by Hurricane Ivan weigh heavy
for the region's economy Analanjirofo. It is the largest producer of
cloves with a production of cloves s'élévant to 10000 tonnes in
favourable season, hence its Analanjirofo appelation. The production of
gasoline extracted from leaves of giroflier is no exception.
Analanjirofo provides the majority of the annual demand.
With a
production of 190000 tonnes of rice per year, the region has a deficit
of 50000 tons. This deficit will increase for the year 2008. "Neither
culture bottom, or on rice-burning are promising for the next harvest.
The dependence vis-à-vis other regions will grow significantly,
"Rafanomezantsoa announcement Nivoary, director of the regional
development Analanjirofo (DDR).
Aimé Tarehy Gilbert, head of the
region Analanjirofo, fears the worst. "The famine is hard to face in
two months. The damage left by Ivan are an impediment to the rapid
development of the region if it does not solve the problems on time,
"says he.
However, the regional plan to bring relief to farmers
by providing seeds. For example, 10 tons of rice and 300 kilos of maize
will be distributed to farmers in the coming days.
The sector is
also litchis reached. The consequences are no less worrisome for the
next campaign. "The beneficiaries located in the circuit to bear the
ill effects of the disaster," laments Rafanomezantsoa Nivoary, DDR
D'Analanjirofo. "The 60000 tonnes of annual production are chimeric for
the 2008 campaign," she says.
Box
Lack of drinking water
Analanjirofo The region is exposed to all the dangers unless solutions
occur on time. In addition to the famine which seriously threatens the
population, epidemics are likely to make their appearance in the coming
days.
Lack of clean water is the primary factor. In Fénérive East,
the capital of the region Analanjirofo, the distribution company Jirama
has not yet been able to restore supply for two weeks after Hurricane
Ivan. Only those wells are used as alternatives. An awareness of water
treatment is needed.
Written by pharmolo
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23 February 2008
13:24:32 o'clock GMT
23 February - Slideshow
The below slideshow shows some images from the areas of Madagascar, affected by Hurricane Ivan. Some captions are in French, but even if you do not understand the language, the impact is clear enough.
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22 February 2008
21:45:42 o'clock GMT
22 February
I have found out that the 9 people feared dead at Sainte Marie on Sunday, were in fact alive.
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21:35:51 o'clock GMT
22 February - News in brief
Floods - The danger is always there. The warning issued
yesterday by the Authority for protection against flooding of the plain
of Antananarivo is still maintained. The level of Ikopa exceeded the
alert for danger. It climbed 4 cm in 24 hours and La Mamba River, which
also climbed 10 cm in 24 hours. That of Sisaony fell by 36 cm in 24
hours and will also remain stationary during the next 12 hours.
Help - French donation at Toamasina. A humanitarian cargo estimated at 657
million Ar is moving towards Toamasina. It is a help of the French Red
Cross and the Platform for regional intervention of the Indian Ocean.
The cargo of 12 tons is composed, among others, generators, chainsaws
and tarpaulins.
Vavatenina
Threat of diarrhea
Diarrhoeal diseases
are emerging in the district of Vavatenina. "Three fokontany are
currently affected by diarrhoea," says Colonel Jean Rakotomalala,
Executive Secretary, National Bureau of risk management and disaster
(BNGRC).
Although stocks of medicines are already available in
the areas affected by the hurricane, "the body of water throughout the
island promoting the emergence of diseases associated with the
phenomenon," suggests, for his part, Jean Louis Robinson, Minister of
Health, Family Planning and Social Welfare.
On the other hand,
dressed in the capital complain that the thrust of malaria. In other
areas, health officials say an outbreak of dysentery is also a risk.
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21:30:23 o'clock GMT
22 February - Appeal for aid
The government has appealed for international aid
"Both natural disasters have weakened Malagasy population. The needs
are great in Madagascar. "These are the terms that Marcel Ranjeva,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, launched yesterday in Anosy, the call for
international solidarity. Fame and Ivan have ravaged in the Great
Island. These hurricanes resulted in 42 fatalities, more than
80000 affected thousands
Cases of housing destroyed and more than 18000 hectares of rice fields
flooded, according to the National Bureau of risk management and
disaster (BNGRC). "Stocks to rescue the thousands of people who find
themselves in an emergency situation are exhausted," says Colonel Jean
Rakotomalala, Executive Secretary of BNGRC.
Heads of diplomatic
missions and representatives of the international community have paid
attention to the presentation of the heavy toll in the aftermath
hurricane. Destroyed infrastructure, agriculture affected tourism in
critical condition, the Great Island faces enormous needs. Although
relief and interventions have been completed, the materials available
are almost inadequate.
At last report, 29 deaths were recorded
after the passage of Ivan. 70% of the roads are cut off. No figure has
been put forward with regard to the needs. The UN system, represented
by Xavier Leus, has confirmed its commitment to mobilise the
international community. "We will use the funds rotation UN immediate
release funds, in order to better assist the affected population," he
says.
For his part, Jean Claude Boidin, ambassador of the
European Union, did not hide his availability for the reconstruction of
road infrastructure and strengthening the prepositioning stocks.
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21:28:19 o'clock GMT
22 February - Rice production threatened
Rice production threatened
The Mangoro Alaotra region has suffered
greatly from Hurricane Ivan. 15000 hectares of rice fields were
flooded. Growers have a lot to do to get out.
The movement
is no possible by canoe to reach both ends of Antanambe. The town was
cut off during the passage of Hurricane Ivan.
Producers have to
worry. The Hurricane Ivan could jeopardize the rice-growing season of
2008. Much of the extent of the Rice Lake Alaotra was hit by the flood.
Seedlings seem not to bear the long-term immersion. This can
significantly affect production this season.
The failure of dikes
for protection and the collapse of some dams has caused enormous
damage. Regional managers are reporting an area of 15000 hectares of
rice fields flooded, as an estimate. And the balance may grow in the
coming days. The reports are steadily converging to the office of chief
Alaotra region-Mangoro.
In the district of Ambatondrazaka, over
30% of rice fields in the valley are flooded . The rice
seedlings planted a few weeks ago are totally immersed. "There is very
little chance to save the rice crop, unless the waters drain sooner,"
says Christian Rabearihanta, president of the federation of peasants in
the valley Mariane. "The next harvest is likely to be compromised,"
says he.
At Amparafaravola, waters overflowed from the Sahamaloto dam. The flooding has severely affected the surrounding rice
fields. "This kind of incident occurs rarely in the area. The latest
dated back to 1958 and 1972, "says David Alexander Robinson, head of
the region Alaotra-Mangoro.
Short Cycle
So far, no local officials can evaluate the surface damaged by the overflow from the Sahamaloto dam. In many cases, the breakdown of protective embankments has aggravated
the situation. The dam located in Marofinaritra, in the municipality of
Ambohijanahary to Amparafaravola transferred Monday. In addition to the
flooding of paddy fields, several villages located downstream are
temporarily abandoned. Residents are forced to flee the lower area,
leaving behind stocks of rice, often estimated at a few tons of paddy,
and the means of production such as tillers, tractors, ploughs.
Questioned on the future of rice cultivation for the 2008 season, local
authorities remain optimistic. "The rice plants have a capacity of
resistance of a week. After this time, it no longer can expect much and
we must start all over again, "says Jean Louis Robinson, Health
Minister
Box
The rice granary threatened
362000
tons of rice produced in 2007, the region of Alaotra-Mangoro, the first
rice granary of Madagascar, might not beat the record of last year in
view of the prevailing situation.
The silting, the strong current of water and rotting plants threaten production for the next harvest.
According to the statistics, the region Alaotra-Mangoro hitherto
provides 30% of national production of rice annually, or an average of
350000 tonnes. The bulk of the quantity supplied is intended to
resupply the local market. A portion is reserved for export.
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21 February 2008
12:26:32 o'clock GMT
21 February - The Homeless
Victims of Hurricane Ivan
The crowd housed in tents
The
conditions of disaster victims evacuated from Anosimahavelona are
precarious. put up in tents, they lack a minimum of comfort.
Some disaster victims are beginning to suffer from the cold.
At Anosizato West, one of the sites hosting evacuees to Anosimahavelona
on the night of Feb. 18, eighty people live under one tent. The surface
estimated at 144 m2 excludes tramway for the occupants.
A total
of 2400 people, distributed in a dozen tents have sought refuge on this
site Anosizato West. At night, they find it difficult to sleep. "I find
it hard to bear the air confined here, with all the world," complains
Richard Rakotonandrasana, one of the flood victims.
On the other
hand, the common problem faced by these refugees is the fight against
humidity. Water seeps in tents, as overnight advance, preventing them
from sleeping well.
At the time of the evacuation, the majority
of families were unable to recover a single coverage. Some of them go
to bed in wet clothes. Suzanne Razanadratsimba, a mother of the family
is still in shock from the flood that swept away all his belongings.
"I feel like reliving the nightmare of the flooding of the night when
we were rescued at Anosimahavelona," said she in the media. She and her
companions want officials soon found a solution to this uncomfortable
humidity.
Emerging diseases
Already, the diseases associated
with intolerance to cold is felt. Headaches, colic and malaria are the
first diagnoses made by the officers of the Red Cross Analamanga during
their descent on the ground in the morning yesterday.
Also, the food-they are beginning to do The same scenario occurs at Tanjombato,
Next to the Smart Gallery, the second site to house the disaster of Anosimahavelona.
Box
Officials relief inundated.
The region Analamanga recorded the largest number with 15000 affected on 20000 identified throughout Madagascar.
The homeless are divided into sixty-ten tents prepositioned by the National Bureau of risk management and disaster (BNGRC).
Tiraillé between relief required at all affected in the four corners of
the island and the division of labour, BNGRC is overwhelmed by its
mission. The affected Analamanga complain of a lack of tents.
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12:24:18 o'clock GMT
21 February - Death toll hits 22
REVIEW
22 dead across Madagascar
Ivan has made 22
victims across Madagascar. The town of Moramanga Beparasy reports
eleven people dead and nine wounded. Another victim, in the
district of Ambatondrazaka, added to the figure put forward by the head
of Mangoro Alaotra region, Alexandre David Robinson. After gusts caused
by Ivan in the region Analanjirofo, two people have also died.
In
the northern part of the island, the collapse of a house in a district
fokontany Andapa has taken the lives of eight people, according to a
correspondent for the local Malagasy National Radio. While at
Ifanadiana, a reporter from the station announced yesterday that a
person has been washed away by floods.
The statement is still
being developed and is likely to grow before all data received from the
National Bureau of risk management and disaster are complete.
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