Three cyclones leave Madagascar suffering
By Tianna Haas and Victor Fredlund | Madagascar in Southern Africa
On the heels of a prolonged drought, Madagascar has now been accosted by three cyclones (Emnati, Batsirai, and Ana) within a month’s time. Of the most severe, Batsirai, local pastor Clarisse de Manerinerina in Mananjary testified: "I am currently 71 years old, but I have never seen such a violent cyclone."
Working with Mission Evangelique Independante de Madagascar (MEIM) and Communauté Evangélique Indépendante de Madagascar (CEIM), our SIM team in the area is acting to distribute aid to, visit with, and pray for the survivors.
Damage in Madagascar from cyclones.
The southern region, served by CEIM and SIM workers Anita and Mamifeno Ratahinarivelo and Jimmy and Marlis Rabeantoandro, has had serious damage. Crops and forests have been ruined by both the wind during the storms and the subsequent flooding, bringing the threat malnutrition to huge portions of people.
SIM Madagascar director Victor Fredlund said: “We expect in this present disaster to assist about 10,000 people with food and seed, and to give evangelistic witness to many affected. People have been given temporary shelter but in the coming month food is going to be in high demand and resources scarce.”
Aside from food, basics, and agricultural assistance, MEIM will also work toward the needs of extra support for the vulnerable, repair of housing, and reconstruction of church buildings. SIM’s Timothy Centre has an existing emergency house building project, which will be involved in these efforts.
The 2,000 reported church members who’ve been impacted by the cyclones are being equipped to multiply the reach of relief to Mananjary. Victor said, “Church members will be encouraged to bring non-church people to access assistance with them as an outreach to their neighbours.”
If you are able to help us respond to needs in Madagascar’s communities, please visit our donation page, find your nearest location, and use project number 098298.
House toppled from the force of the tropical storm.
Pray with us
• Pray for those already impoverished, widows and orphans, pregnant women, and people who are sick without means of treatment.
• Pray for rural regions, where suffering and lack of access to temporary shelter and medical care are most pronounced.
• Pray for Christians in Madagascar to share aid and the hope of Jesus with their communities.
Related stories
Today for Tomorrow is rooting the next generation in Christ across Southern Africa
Today for Tomorrow began with just five children when SIM mission worker Graham, Jessie and Chris Maphosa saw a gap in how children were being discipled. While serving in Zimbabwe, Chris and colleagues developed the T4T training programme to help pastors and teachers share Christ-centered lessons in ways children could understand. Today, the ministry has grown significantly and continues to shine across the region.
Our call to care for the planet goes beyond recycling: lessons on creation stewardship
As a child growing up in Canada, I thought recycling was the best way to help the planet. The world’s problems were much too big for us as children, but finally, there was something we could do as well, right from our home. But my understanding of all my efforts were turned on its head when I chatted with Ian Ratcliff, SIM's Ministry Point Person for Creation Stewardship and Care.
From Bible college student to Bible college Director
Joseph now trains pastors of the future, with help from one of his old teachers in West Africa. The joy and lasting value of Christian leadership training is epitomised by the long-term relationship between an SIM mission couple and a West African Bible college director.
