By Willy BENINANDIANA | Executive Secretary
In Madagascar, the rate of chronic malnutrition affects 42% of children under 5 (MICS 2018 survey), one of the highest rates in the world with 66% of adults affected, 39.8% of deaths of children under 5 years and 31% of the population food insecure (PNAN III) which represents a large majority of the population for a country with high food potential. Generally, the most productive regions are highly exposed to chronic malnutrition impacting on stunting referring to a child too small for his age. Stunting is the inability to grow physically and cognitively, is the result of chronic or recurrent malnutrition. This situation puts the country in a vulnerable position, especially following the covid-19 epidemic which has hit the economy of Malagasy households hard. In these situations, the country faces the phenomenon of undernutrition known locally as «Kéré». An emergency situation exposing households and communities in the Great South to serious food shortages. This phenomenon is linked to the lack of rainwater for agricultural activities from which 90% of the population draws their income from it, impact on the life of households leading to economic, social and political disarray. According to media and United Nations sources, for the month of November 2022 to March 2023, 2,023,000 people are in the grip of famine, of which 1.97 million in crisis phase, 250,000 people are classified in a situation of alert and 72% of Madagascar South people on advanced famine. According to the acute food security analysis (IPC 01/2023) for the period from November 2022 to March 2023, the Atsimo Atsinanana Region is in phase 4 with 42,798 people exposed, 37,002 for the Fitovinany region, and 14,980 for the Vatovavy region At the end of 2022 to the beginning of 2023, Madagascar, strongly affected by the passage of cyclones (Emnati, Batsirai, Cheneso and Freddy), recorded more than 35,000 vulnerable people affected with more than 14,000 displaced people. The Vatovavy Fitovinany is among the regions that are victims of these hazards. Apart from the risks generated by climate change, the instability of the prices of agricultural products, the scarcity of resources, food and nutritional insecurity, but also growing monetary needs for consumption, education and health, weigh on the household economy. Faced with these scourges, the Malagasy Government through its sectoral policies, its strategic plans to fight against malnutrition carry out programs to strengthen the resilience of households in terms of nutrition. For this month of June 2023, the HINA platform has contributed to alleviating the suffering of vulnerable communities in the Fitovinany Region through high-impact actions with its members, in order to support and strengthen the resilience of vulnerable households affected by famine.
Organisations
Listing of vulnerable beneficiaries according to the criteria established by the HINA platform
In order to support the vulnerable households hit by famine with foods rich in nutritional values following the passage of devastating cyclones in the Fitovinany region, HINA Platform members realezed a survey with the local administration of Mangatsiotra commune for identify the more vulnerable household touched by effect of hazards (cyclone and famine). The female-headed household and the household with children under 5 years were selected in 05 communities such as Valivahy, Antsary, Mangatsiotra, Amobimahasoa, Ankazomainty. The results of this survey of identification of beneficiaries were presented within the administrative prefecture for validation and transparency of action. gInvolvement and participation of community representatives and authorities Village chiefs and local authorities were involved in the distribution process, from the development of the list of beneficiaries to the distribution of food. Community mobilizations, informing the population about the conditions and criteria for food distribution were left under the responsibility of village chiefs, while securing food on the day of distribution was carried out with the local authorities.
Impacts
Alleviation of the suffering of 150 vulnerable households
The distribution of food was carried out in the district of Manakara, Fitovinany Region. Generally, actions have been concentrated in the rural commune of Mangatsiotra, to support households vulnerable to famine and the effects of cyclone in the villages of Valivahy, Antsary, Mangatsiotra, Amobimahasoa, Ankazomainty. The passage of cyclones during the beginning of 2023 has strongly affected the communities of these villages, which are mainly fishermen and farmers.Exploitation of traditional fish products with relatively low agricultural production does not promise early recovery favourable to the socio-economic conditions of households, especially those headed by women. Knowing that in this Region women do not benefit from their rights, society operates on a patriarchal system where all decisions and advantages revolve around the man. The initiative provided by GlobalGiving and the HINA platform have enabled these vulnerable households to strengthen their resilience and post-disaster recovery. Thus, the 150 households targeted by the project (i.e. 750 people) were supported with hygiene kit (soap, bucket) and food (rice, milk, noodles, sugar, salt) especially for children under 5 supported by good nutrition.
Visibility and accountability of actions to fight against malnutrition
The action taken in favor of its vulnerable communities has made it possible to strengthen the visibility and notoriety of the HINA platform in terms of food security and nutrition in the south East of Madagascar. Being an essential platform in nutrition and food security, this gesture of donation is also an opportunity for the platform to be indebted to the Malagasy population, and especially for the south East of Madagascar.
National and international representation Through the distribution of food to vulnerable households
the HINA platform was able to represent national initiatives on strengthening household resilience and food security as well as the GlobalGiving initiative on charitable projects around the world.
Strengthening the spirit of appraterance of members for the benefit of the Platform
Since 2022, when the HINA platform has carried out post-disaster recovery actions supported by GlobalGiving, the holding of the activity at the level of regions and communities in need strengthens the cohesion of civil society organizations member of the Platform, and responds to the mission and vision of the Platform, as well as its strategic plan 2021-2025 «A strong Platform, unavoidable, and autonomous».
Challenges
Securing food and transporting -Political recuperation -Targeting of beneficiaries in relation to the criteria defined by the Platform -Support more vulnerable households
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By Willy BENINANDIANA | Executive Secretary
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