Location: Maroantsetra district, north east of the island

Situation:
Magagascar, a country regularly exposed to extreme weather, has been through a period of political violence creating new socioeconomic difficulties. Doctors of the World's (DOW) work supports the key priorities of the Malagasy authorities in terms of helping the most vulnerable: gunshot victims, prisoners, the inhabitants of rural areas affected by cyclones, and children waiting for surgery.
Activities:
In this isolated area, which has been abandoned and is extremely exposed to cyclones, DOW supports the health authorities in disease surveillance and care for severely malnourished children within basic health centres. This work reflects national policies and strengthens the health system's capacity to respond to natural disasters. A network of emergency workers has been trained and equipped in all the villages in the at-risk zone. With traditional singing contests and puppet shows, the population has been informed about disaster preparedness. Committees have been set up in at-risk communes, with the support of the authorities, in order to identify priorities and prepare them on how to respond. In addition, the programme supports four community pilot projects in damage limitation to reduce the risks associated with natural disasters. As a result of the project, 32 villages have prepared their own plans to enable them to deal with a natural disaster and to limit the consequences.
Outlook:
DOW is working to improve how the basic health centres work, consolidate the local committees and roll-out damage-limitation projects, which could be carried out by a general development NGO. The disaster preparedness programme is to be expanded to other at-risk districts.