Church leaders and international organizations appeal for aid to Magacascar, after Tropical Cyclone Gezani kills dozens of people across five of the country’s regions.
By Sr. Christine Masivo, CPS
Dozens were left dead, thousands were displaced, and infrastructure was severely damaged after Tropical Cyclone Gezani ravaged 25 districts across five regions in Madagascar.
Assessments and emergency responses continue to respond, and appeals have been raised by Church leaders and international organizations.
According to a provisional report released on February 16 by the Vatican Fides news agency, the national office for Risks and Disaster Management (BNGRC) says that emergency teams are assessing the extent of the damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Gezani across five regions in Madagascar, an island nation in the Indian Ocean.
Losses and appeals
Approximately 49,000 buildings have been damaged, including two hospitals and seven government hospitals. So far 59 people have died, 15 remain missing, and 804 people have sustained injuries.
Many people have been affected, and their homes have been flooded. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC Africa) estimates that 16,428 people, or 4,045 families, have been displaced.
Church and international solidarity effort
On 11 February, the Bishops’ Conference of Madagascar responded to the devastation, appealing for solidarity with cyclone victims.
A letter signed by Bishop Jean-Claude Rakotoarisoa called on the Catholic faithful to assist affected communities, particularly in the Diocese of Tomasina in eastern Madagascar.
Diocesan leaders were entrusted with the task of coordinating relief efforts by the Bishops, urging the faithful to follow the guidance provided for aid.
On Sunday, February 15, Pope Leo XIV expressed his closeness to the people affected during the Angelus prayer, offering prayers to the victims affected.
Risks
Madagascar was already hard hit in early February by another tropical cyclone, causing deaths and displacing people.
Elsewhere, Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo, speaking on the sideline at the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, confirmed the relatively small number of casualties, attributing it to compliance with government safety instructions.
Provincial governor Francisco Pagula also reported infrastructural damage, emphasizing the importance of early warning and evacuation in reducing a disaster’s impact.
Southeast Africa faces an annual tropical season that runs from October to April, a recurring threat that brings severe material destruction and loss of life every year.
The recent cyclone serves as another stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability and the critical importance of preparedness, coordinated response, and enduring international solidarity.
