ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar, 01 March 2023 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/– Tropical Cyclone (TC) Freddy made landfall on Tuesday evening, 21 February in the coastal town of Mananjary in Madagascar. The track of the cyclone left 2.2 million people exposed to storm surges and flash floods as it ravaged the country. It has been reported that over 16,700 people were affected and around 4,500 homes were damaged.
GBP£700,000 was disbursed by Start Network to Catholic Relief Services, Welthungerhilfe, CARE, Medair, Action Against Hunger, Save the Children, and Medecins du Monde to lead anticipatory activities and provide early assistance to communities along TC Freddy’s path. Over 500,000 people are expected to benefit from this support.
Start Network and its members have been monitoring the movement of the cyclone since the Meteo Madagascar released a bulletin on 17 February forecasting TC Freddy to reach a minimum wind speed of 166 kilometres per hour at landfall.
The predicted intensity of the cyclone led to the activation of Start Ready – Start Network’s newest financing mechanism which allows humanitarian actors to access rapid, predictable funding and provide support in anticipation of a crisis once specific thresholds are met.
Start Network members acted quickly and utilised prepositioned resources once the bulletin was broadcasted. Families received materials last Monday, 20 February to reinforce their homes, dignity kits, water purification items, and mosquito nets. The provision of pre-positioned items and cash before the cyclone hits prepared communities for the impacts of the cyclone.
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