Cyclone Gezani Displaces 6,000 Children, 29,000 Out of School in Madagascar

The hardest-hit region is Atsinanana, particularly the coastal city of Toamasina, Madagascar’s second-largest city and main port.

At least 6,000 children have been displaced and nearly 29,000 are unable to attend school after Cyclone Gezani tore through eastern Madagascar on 10 February with winds exceeding 200 km/h, according to preliminary reports.

The cyclone — the second to hit the country in just two weeks — has affected more than 270,000 people and displaced over 16,000, many of them children, further straining a nation already grappling with multiple emergencies.

Homes Destroyed, Children Exposed to Protection Risks

The hardest-hit region is Atsinanana, particularly the coastal city of Toamasina, Madagascar’s second-largest city and main port.

Damaged and destroyed homes have forced families into overcrowded shelters, increasing risks of:

• Family separation

• Violence and exploitation

• Psychological trauma

• Unsafe living conditions

“Many families have lost their homes, which turns into a deeply distressing experience for children,” said Christine Jaulmes, UNICEF Representative in Madagascar.

“The cyclone has also disrupted essential services they rely on, including safe water, healthcare, protection and schooling.”

Health and Water Systems Under Pressure

Widespread power outages have disrupted water supply systems, raising fears of waterborne disease outbreaks.

Health services have also been severely affected:

• Both university hospitals in Toamasina were impacted

• 21 health centres sustained damage

• Vaccine cold-chain systems were disrupted in two facilities

These disruptions are restricting access to lifesaving care at a time when vulnerability is high.

Education Severely Disrupted

Cyclone Gezani has compounded the education crisis:

• 35 schools damaged

• 563 classrooms lost their roofs

• 218 classrooms completely destroyed

As a result, tens of thousands of children have been left without safe learning spaces.

Temporary learning spaces are now being set up to accommodate up to 14,000 students as recovery efforts begin.

Emergency Response Underway

The Government of Madagascar, through the National Bureau for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC), is leading the response with support from humanitarian partners.

UNICEF began preparations before landfall and rapidly scaled up assistance after the storm hit.

Initial response efforts include:

• Water purification supplies reaching 2,400 people

• WASH kits distributed to 178 households

• 2,000 mosquito nets provided to 1,000 households

• Emergency health kits covering 60,000 people for one month

• Vaccine supplies secured and hospitals supported to remain operational

Child protection outreach teams are helping families access services and reduce risks in overcrowded shelters.

UNICEF is also broadcasting public awareness messages on:

• Safe water and hygiene practices

• Nutrition and breastfeeding

• Prevention of violence against children

• Available support services, including the toll-free hotline 930

Crisis on Top of Crisis

Cyclone Gezani struck while Madagascar was still responding to Cyclone Fytia earlier this month, as well as an ongoing Mpox outbreak in the north-west of the country.

The overlapping emergencies are stretching national capacity and essential services.

Initial emergency efforts were supported by nearly US$900,000 from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), allowing early action before the cyclone made landfall.

Urgent Appeal for $8.4 Million

As damage assessments continue, humanitarian needs remain high.

UNICEF is appealing for US$8.4 million to scale up life-saving assistance and support early recovery for affected children and families in the weeks ahead.

“We need support and funding urgently,” Jaulmes said, warning that without additional resources, thousands of children remain at heightened risk in the aftermath of the storm.