Update: Tropical Cyclone Hellen - Willem van Milink, Resident Coordinator a.i. for Madagascar

In Madagascar, the tropical depression "Hellen" continues to weakening, with maximum wind speeds of 55 km/h. At 09H00 local time (UTC+3) the weather system was located 250 km north-east of Morondava and is currently moving in a south-easterly direction into the Mozambique Channel. The National Bureau of Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) have lifted all alerts. See attached map.

A multi-sector aerial assessment of the inaccessible districts of Soalalala, Mitsinjo and Besalampy identified damaged classrooms and flooded agricultural fields. There are reportedly needs in the sector of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), but most healthcare centres appear intact. The Prime Minister visited Soalala today, bringing relief items including water treatment products, medicines and cash. Initial results indicate that 919 people have been displaced, of which some will be able to return home in the coming days.

Over 170 houses were destroyed. Although local authorities have been quick to respond, it is expected that displaced families will need relief supplies (food, health and non-food item kits) to get through the coming weeks. WFP is dispatching one ton of high energy biscuits and 35 tons of foodstuffs to the operational base in Mahajanga where a 500 ton-capacity warehouse is open to all humanitarian partners.

Agriculture is particularly affected by the floods in an area that was already struggling with a locust outbreak in the last months. Over 3,900 ha of rice fields have been submerged. In the medium term, there are concerns over the food security situation. An in-depth assessment by food partners is being planned. The child protection network in Mahajanga deployed social workers to monitor temporary sites. So far no cases violence or exploitation have been reported and no children were separated from their parents. Information on the districts of Soalala, Mitsinjo and Besalampy is currently being compiled following the aerial assessment.

 The Malagasy Red-Cross is also assessing the situation and is supporting displaced families and WASH activities. Additional pre-positioned Red Cross relief goods can be used in case needed following ongoing assessments. As a result of funding constraints, a US$70,000 Emergency Cash Grant application has been submitted to OCHA, for logistical support to enable aerial assessments and provision of urgent relief items.

Cordialement,

Benoit Pylyser Humanitarian Affairs Officer On surge in Madagascar Mobile: +263 772 125 282 (roaming) Email: pylyser@un.org Skype: benoitpylyser

Update: Tropical Cyclone Hellen - MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF WILLEM VAN MILINK, RESIDENT COORDINATOR A.I.

Intense Tropical Cyclone "Hellen" weakened into a depression and exited the island this morning, 01 April. It is currently located 140 km north of Beselampy. While wind speeds have decreased to 45 km/h (with peaks of 60 km/h), continued rains could still bring flooding and landslides, although these rains are also expected to lessen tomorrow. A Blue (post-cyclone) Alert remains in place for the regions of Boeny and Melaky.

While this system has been remarkably erratic, according to the National Meteorological Department it is currently too weak to re-intensify. Attached is a map showing latest predicted trajectory.

A boat capsized off the coast of north-west Madagascar yesterday, killing three people with nine still missing. Telephone lines are intact, and the National Bureau of Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) in consultation with local authorities have assessed many of the affected districts – this information is being compiled. However, due to inaccessibility, certain remote and generally thinly populated areas have not yet been assessed, in particular in Soalala and Mitsinjo districts.

Due to bad weather, aerial assessments will only start tomorrow early morning over such isolated areas. So far assessments indicate that 856 people have been displaced, many of them having moved preemptively, and most should be able to return home in the coming days. In Mahajanga and Soalala around 100 houses were reportedly destroyed. Furthermore, 3 schools were damaged, 4 water points flooded, and over 2,000 ha of rice fields submerged.

The Food Security Cluster is planning an assessment in the coming week to determine longer-term impacts. The Ministry of Health, supported by partners, is mobilizing pre-positioned medical supplies for 1,000 people, while BNGRC has around 2 tons of food for distribution. WFP is also dispatching one ton of high energy biscuits and 35 tons of foodstuffs to support the response.

An operational base has been established at Mahajanga, with a 500 ton-capacity warehouse open to all humanitarian partners. Other humanitarian partners are also supporting the response.

Cordialement, Benoit Pylyser Humanitarian Affairs Officer On surge in Madagascar Mobile: +263 772 125 282 (roaming) Email: pylyser@un.org Skype: benoitpylyser