Three cyclones leave Madagascar suffering

By Tianna Haas and Victor Fredlund | Madagascar in Southern Africa

On the heels of a prolonged drought, Madagascar has now been accosted by three cyclones (Emnati, Batsirai, and Ana) within a month’s time. Of the most severe, Batsirai, local pastor Clarisse de Manerinerina in Mananjary testified: "I am currently 71 years old, but I have never seen such a violent cyclone."

Working with Mission Evangelique Independante de Madagascar (MEIM) and Communauté Evangélique Indépendante de Madagascar (CEIM), our SIM team in the area is acting to distribute aid to, visit with, and pray for the survivors.

The southern region, served by CEIM and SIM workers Anita and Mamifeno Ratahinarivelo and Jimmy and Marlis Rabeantoandro, has had serious damage. Crops and forests have been ruined by both the wind during the storms and the subsequent flooding, bringing the threat malnutrition to huge portions of people.

SIM Madagascar director Victor Fredlund said: “We expect in this present disaster to assist about 10,000 people with food and seed, and to give evangelistic witness to many affected. People have been given temporary shelter but in the coming month food is going to be in high demand and resources scarce.”

Aside from food, basics, and agricultural assistance, MEIM will also work toward the needs of extra support for the vulnerable, repair of housing, and reconstruction of church buildings. SIM’s Timothy Centre has an existing emergency house building project, which will be involved in these efforts.

The 2,000 reported church members who’ve been impacted by the cyclones are being equipped to multiply the reach of relief to Mananjary. Victor said, “Church members will be encouraged to bring non-church people to access assistance with them as an outreach to their neighbours.”

If you are able to help us respond to needs in Madagascar’s communities, please visit our donation page, find your nearest location, and use project number 098298.

Pray with us

• Pray for those already impoverished, widows and orphans, pregnant women, and people who are sick without means of treatment.

• Pray for rural regions, where suffering and lack of access to temporary shelter and medical care are most pronounced.

• Pray for Christians in Madagascar to share aid and the hope of Jesus with their communities.