Madagascar is amongst the four most vulnerable countries to climate change in the world, despite being a minor contributor to global warming. As a result, flooding, droughts, and cyclones are increasingly frequent, prolonged, and intense, mainly impacting the south and southeast regions of the country. The Malagasy population, of which around half are children, is particularly vulnerable to extreme heat and weather – nearly 91% live beneath the poverty line. Because the population relies heavily on subsistence agriculture and rain-fed crops, drought dramatically impacts their food security and livelihoods. These extreme weather hazards can leave hundreds of victims behind.
However, calm does not always come after the storm, and the resulting aftermath can be just as damaging. After a storm, Malagasy families are often left with no access to food, drinking water, electricity, shelter, or basic hygiene supplies. These consequences shadow the population long after the storm has passed.
With little international visibility, this island seems to be forgotten – perhaps ignored – by most of the international community.
In Madagascar’s climate emergency, the UNICEF student teams of the Netherlands have found their mission. With the goal of making 20 villages in Southern Madagascar more resilient to increasing drought, UNICEF’s innovative pilot project ‘Climate-Smart Villages’ aims at developing sustainable water infrastructure, promoting entrepreneurship, and increasing knowledge. How? By giving the villages access to sustainable electricity, water supplies for households and agricultural use, internet, and ecological toilets, while also stimulating the local economy and promoting entrepreneurship through offering training and start-up capital to villagers. A third pillar within the project is investing in knowledge and organizing awareness campaigns about water conservation to ensure water availability for current and future generations. Beyond aspiring to provide immediate solutions, this project hopes to promote sustainable systemic change, making communities more self-sufficient and resilient in the long term. Operating in close cooperation with local partners and governments, the ultimate goal is to reach about 50,000 people, including 25,000 children. The ‘Climate-Smart Villages’ initiative is a pilot project, allowing for continuous learning and improvement.
In the village of Ehavo, villagers used to have to walk for an hour to reach a water source. But since a ‘Multiple-Use Water’ (MUS) system was installed there, it has provided water to a vegetable garden maintained by a local farmers association. This water system, originally designed for Ehavo’s 500 residents, now attracts residents from neighboring villages who purchase their water there, stimulating the local economy. The pumped water is also directed to the schools in the village, providing children with access to clean drinking water and hygiene.
A member of Ehavo’s farmers’ association in front of the village’s garden – UNICEF Madagascar, 2024, Ralaivita
Calm does not always follow a storm. Still, the international community can turn to Southern Madagascar with tailored and innovative projects like the ‘Climate-Smart Villages’ that improve the life and future of the most vulnerable – children. To ensure their basic needs and their right to a proper childhood – and future. To help them find calm after the storm.
Sources
https://www.hi.org/en/news/madagascar–the-humanitarian-impact-of-climate-change
https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/02/1146737
https://www.unicef.org/madagascar/en/stories/nahy-mother-heart-ehavos-agricultural-initiatives
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