The situation in southern Madagascar remains worrying, according to the UNICEF press release today.
According to the UNICEF press release today, the improved rainy season and harvest in March and April 2017 may produce a temporary reprieve from the complex nutritional crisis in the south, however pockets of acute malnutrition remain an obstacle to recovery. Preliminary results of the UNICEF-led nutrition SMART surveys show GAM prevalence between 10 and 15 per cent in Beloha and Amboasary districts, within the “high” prevalence range for wasting, according to WHO standards (10-14 per cent).
610,000 people without access to sufficient safe water
Since January 2017, UNICEF has provided water access to nearly 130,000 people of the estimated 740,000 living without access to potable water in the eight most affected districts, but 610,000 people remain without access to sufficient safe water. UNICEF is conducting hydrogeological surveys for future water infrastructure construction, water system repair and other temporary water provision interventions to provide access to those still in need.
Need of humanitarian assistance
In March 2017, student absenteeism continued to increase in two of three affected regions (Anosy, Androy) after a brief period of improvement in January. The response to meet the needs of 391,000 children in need of humanitarian assistance remains widely underfunded, except for Nutrition and Health, jeopardizing UNICEF’s ability to meet its Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCCs).
Tiasy
Key Figures (As of 30 April 2017)
- 391,000
Children in need of immediate humanitarian assistance
(46% Total pop in IPC phases 3 & 4)
- 35,000
Children aged 6 to 59 months in need of treatment for SAM in 2017
(UNICEF estimated caseload 2017 in the Humanitarian Action for children (HAC) appeal)
- 850,000
People without access to safe water for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene
(UNICEF estimated caseload 2017, HAC)
