The European Union is providing assistance to the Malagasy population affected by the powerful tropical cyclone Batsirai which devastated eastern Madagascar on 5 February, killing 10 people and causing extensive damage to infrastructure and crops.
The European Commission is coordinating the delivery of emergency aid through the EU’s humanitarian airlift, the institution announced on Tuesday 8 February. The first flight is scheduled to arrive in Madagascar on Wednesday 9 February.
In response to a request for assistance from the Malagasy authorities, France and Germany offered two water purification modules through the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism. The Commission co-finances 75% of the transport costs.
The European Copernicus programme has been activated and is providing detailed satellite maps of damage in the affected areas.
In addition, a first team of five civil protection experts from France, Finland and Sweden and a liaison officer from the European Commission will visit the affected areas this week to assess the scale of the immediate needs and the main operational challenges.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected. We are ready to provide further assistance”, said EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič, thanking the countries that offered help. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)