Tropical Storm Enawo hits Madagascar

CBM is working with our partners in Madagascar to help people with disabilities affected by Cyclone Enawo, which hit the country on 7th March. Heavy winds, floods and landslides left five people dead and forced thousands to flee their homes.

Four CBM-supported specialist schools for children with visual and hearing impairment were damaged during the cyclone, and one of our partner-hospitals in Antananarivo has reported roof damage, causing water to leak into the eye clinic.

Lila Ratsifandrihamanana, CBM Country Representative for Madagascar sent this update during the storm, “I am very concerned as the cyclone feels very severe. Even right now in my house in Antananarivo the windows are shaking, so I can imagine how the children with disabilities at the schools we work with are feeling in their small houses, sometimes made of wood.  We are contacting our partners, although communications are difficult right now, and we hope and pray the storm passes soon and we can support them to recover, if it is necessary.”

When disasters strike, people with disabilities are often among the worst affected and the last to receive help. CBM is working with partners to help them rebuild and ensure that people with disabilities can access the support they need. Read more about CBM’s emergency response work (open link in new tab).

©Henitsoa Rafalia/Anadolu Agency