Madagascar — humanitarian situation

Madagascar faces compounding climate shocks and a public health emergency amid ongoing chronic food insecurity in the south. The country is experiencing its first documented Mpox epidemic, caused by clade 1b, with the index case detected on 17 December 2025 and an official alert issued on 31 December 2025 (IFRC). The outbreak showed sharp case increases in early 2026, prompting activation of national coordination mechanisms. Simultaneously, Cyclones Fytia and Gezani struck the northwest and northeast respectively in early 2026, affecting cyclone-prone coastal districts and causing widespread livelihood losses (WFP). Meanwhile, severe rainfall deficits in southwestern Madagascar have reduced agricultural yields, perpetuating crisis conditions in the Grand Sud that have persisted since late 2025 (FEWS NET). As of May 2026, most districts in the Grand Sud, parts of the Grand Southeast, and cyclone-affected districts along the east coast remain in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) (FEWS NET). Initial estimates from a joint WFP and Bureau National de Gestion des Risques et des Catastrophes emergency food security assessment indicate that more than 200,000 people are affected by below-average crop production following rainfall deficits in the south (FEWS NET). An IOM displacement assessment covering 123 fokontany across four communes in Ambovombe Androy and Ampanihy Ouest districts documented population movements linked primarily to recurrent drought and climate-related shocks, identifying both arrivals and departures of internally displaced households during 2024 and early 2025 (IOM). In May, WFP assisted 178,030 people in drought-affected communities in the Grand Sud, including 38,593 children under two and 32,159 pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls who received specialized nutritious foods to prevent moderate acute malnutrition (WFP). Following the cyclones, WFP reached 363,075 people in affected areas, providing nutrition support to 12,455 pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under five (WFP). WFP's lean season response faced pipeline breaks in March and April 2026, forcing suspension of unconditional assistance while malnutrition prevention activities continued through June (WFP). Emergency cash assistance reached 142,162 people across eastern and western cyclone-affected areas in April (WFP). The outlook remains concerning as forecasts indicate at least a moderate-strength El Niño event from mid-2026, with strong event potential, creating additional risks for agriculture and food security in an already fragile context (IASC, IFRC, OCHA).