After being hit by the storm systems of Ana, Batsirai and Dumaki, Emnati is now the fourth storm system to have affected Madagascar in the space of 40 days between late January and early March. In addition, the three regions of the Grand Sud-Est were affected by the cyclones and tropical storms Vatovavy, Fitovinany and Atsimo Atsinanana.

Grand Sud-Est

For the first time, the districts of the Grand Sud-Est, with the exception of Vangaindrano, are classified in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) even in the middle of the harvest period. The number of people in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) is approximately 67,000 (including 15% of the population of Mananjary and 5% of the population of Manakara). Nearly 638,000 people are classified as IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) or above and require urgent action, representing 31% of the populations of the districts analyzed.

Grand Sud

In the Grand Sud, although the situation remains fragile, it has improved significantly compared to April 2021, with a decrease in the number of people classified as IPC Phase 4 (Emergency). Despite humanitarian aid that is the mainstay of the household economy, from April to August 2022, 33% of the population in the Grand Sud is still highly food insecure (IPC Phase 3 or above), including 122,000 people in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency), and 925,000 in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis).

Considering the results of this IPC analysis, which take into account humanitarian food assistance already planned, funded and likely to be delivered, as well as those of November 2021, it is clear that scaling up in terms of beneficiary coverage and ration provided will need to be scaled up.

To assess the level of food insecurity in the Districts of Ikongo and Midongy Atsimo in the Grand Sud-Est, landlocked areas affected by the two cyclonic systems Batsirai and Emnati, an imminent collection of MUAC (mid-upper arm circumference) is needed to obtain information on the levels of Global Acute Malnutrition in children under five.

For both the Grand Sud-Est and the Grand Sud, urgent action is needed to assist households in an emergency situation (IPC Phase 3 or above) to save lives, reduce consumption deficits, and protect and rebuild livelihoods.

Supporting agricultural activities is very important for the Grand Sud Est, which benefits from a favourable climate that allows the planting of crops at any time, while enhancing climate-smart agriculture techniques. This kind of support is also necessary for the Grand Sud, especially before the 2022-2023 cropping season.