Families in Northern Madagascar are preparing for Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi, with more than 22,500 children at risk of displacement and severe flooding. The cyclone is expected to cause extensive damage and represents increased extreme weather conditions attributed to climate change. Save the Children is actively mobilizing support and urging wealthier nations to improve assistance for nations affected by climate disasters.
Northern Madagascar is currently preparing for the imminent arrival of Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi, which poses a significant threat with expectations of severe winds, intense storms, and flooding. More than 22,500 children are at risk of being displaced and experiencing the loss of their homes and schools due to the storm’s destructive potential. The region has already seen heavy rainfall over the last 24 hours, with predictions of further extreme weather affecting northern areas starting January 11.
In December 2022, Madagascar narrowly avoided severe impacts from Tropical Storm Chido, which resulted in 39 fatalities in Mayotte. However, the onset of Dikeledi as the second tropical cyclone of the season foretells potentially devastating consequences for Madagascar and surrounding regions. Save the Children has emphasized that the frequency of such extreme weather is escalating, attributing it to the ongoing climate crisis and urging wealthier nations to enhance their support to less affluent countries facing climate-related disasters.
Tatiana Dasys, Country Representative for Save the Children in Madagascar, expressed profound concern, stating that the cyclone may inflict substantial damage to homes, schools, and vital public facilities, endangering an already vulnerable population. With projected rainfall amounts up to 100 mm over the next 48 hours, fears are mounting regarding widespread flooding in susceptible low-lying areas.
Save the Children is actively preparing for the cyclone’s impact, having positioned critical school supplies in the Sava region and bolstered community readiness, especially within educational institutions. Given the urgency of the situation, immediate humanitarian assistance is paramount to mitigate the storm’s effects on those affected. The organization continues to advocate for increased funding from wealthier nations to assist lower-income countries grappling with the ramifications of climate change.
Since 2016, Save the Children has provided cash-based aid and child protection services in Madagascar, responding to multiple humanitarian crises, including droughts and tropical cyclones, reaching over 12,700 children in their programs this year.
Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi threatens Northern Madagascar, where more than 22,500 children are at risk due to expected severe weather conditions, including strong winds and heavy rainfall. The country has faced various natural disasters in the past, highlighting the growing frequency of extreme weather events as a result of climate change. The ongoing need for increased funding from developed nations to support those impacted by climate crises is critical, as organizations like Save the Children prepare to offer necessary assistance.
In summary, as Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi approaches Northern Madagascar, there is an urgent need for humanitarian support to protect vulnerable populations, particularly children, from its devastating impacts. The cyclone exemplifies the increasing challenges presented by the climate crisis, underscoring the necessity for international cooperation and funding to assist affected regions. Save the Children’s proactive measures and continued advocacy for climate support are vital to address these dire situations.
Original Source: www.africa.com
