EU allocates €50 million in humanitarian aid as Commissioner Lenarčič visits Madagascar

The Commission announced new funding of €50 million in humanitarian aid for Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean region. These funds will help combat food insecurity and malnutrition, improve access to basic services, enhance disaster preparedness, and promote education in emergencies throughout the region. Of the €50 million, €13.3 million is allocated to Madagascar, €25 million to Mozambique, €7.4 million to Zimbabwe, and €4.3 million to Lesotho, Malawi, and regional projects.

During his visit, the Commissioner is due to meet the President of Madagascar Andry Rajoelina; the governors of Vatovavy and Fitovinany regions, and the directors of the national office for disaster management. The Commissioner will also meet humanitarian partners and Pedro Pablo Opeka, the founder of the Akamasoa Humanitarian association, while also visiting the recent cyclone-affected areas.

In February 2023, the EU also provided €100, 000 in emergency humanitarian funding to assist those most affected by tropical cyclone Freddy, which made landfall on the eastern coast of the island on 21 February 2023. This year, a new air support operation is being implemented in order to reinforce the capacity of humanitarian actors to reach communities affected by flooding and cyclones. This operation amounts to €1.2 million.