Madagascar has opened its first national humanitarian hub to improve emergency response in cyclone-prone regions, the World Food Programme (WFP) announced. Funded by the European Union and the WFP, the new facility in the eastern city of Manakara will allow vital food, medicine, and supplies to be stored and deployed quickly when disasters strike.
“The humanitarian hub builds the capacity of the Government of Madagascar to prepare for and respond to crises like cyclones, storms, and floods. By allowing food, medicine, and other vital supplies to be stored in advance, it helps speed up response times and saves lives,” said WFP Country Director Tania Goossens.
The site includes two steel mobile storage units with space for 1,000 metric tons of aid supplies and four office units for up to eight staff. The EU provided €600,000 in funding, with WFP contributing an additional €200,000.
Madagascar is among Africa’s most cyclone-affected countries. The 2024–25 storm season led to widespread destruction, displacing families and damaging roads, crops, and livestock. Roland Kobia, the EU Ambassador to Madagascar, said the priority now is proactive disaster management: “It is not only about reacting after disasters happen but about anticipating, preventing, and reducing impacts before crises turn into humanitarian catastrophes.”
The hub will be managed by the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) and will serve all humanitarian partners. It forms part of the country’s national emergency coordination policy, enabling faster delivery of aid to remote or hard-to-reach communities.
“This hub marks a major step in strengthening national emergency preparedness and response,” said BNGRC Director General Gabriel Ramanantsoa. “It ensures faster, more coordinated, and effective action for vulnerable communities.”
The European Union has been a major contributor to WFP’s humanitarian and development work in Madagascar, providing over USD 29 million since 2020, including support to the UN Humanitarian Air Service, which delivers emergency relief to isolated areas.
