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Jeroen van der Vlist joining HoverAid Madagascar
Last summer, Jeroen was in Madagascar for four weeks, to work as a volunteer with Peter and Jantine van Buuren. Joanne, his wife, met the Van Buurens in March 2007, when she was in Madagascarfor the second time, where she is involved in Bible translation work, on behalf of Wycliffe Bible Translators. Jeroen enjoyed his time spent in Madagascar, and soon it became clear that Peter and Jantine would be glad if he would join the HoverAid Madagascar team. Jeroen is an experienced mechanic and has worked as a mechanic teacher for the last ten years. He will become the technical manager, responsible of the maintenance of the hovercraft and other vehicles, training local mechanics, and doing some logistics. Jeroen and Joanne are happy they now can both serve the Malagasy people, each with their own specific skills. They are planning to move to Madagascar in July 2008, together with their three children: Chiel (13), Ilse (10) and Jiska (8). Prayer points: - thank for the support we’ve raised until now (40% of the budget) - pray there will be enough funds raised before July, so there won’t be any delay in our plans; - pray for the children who will have to say goodbye to their friends in Holland and make a new start in Madagascar; - pray that the children will pick up the French language without too much trouble; - pray for Joanne who will make another trip to Madagascar in April/May, to work again with several teams of translators on the Gospel of Luke. That they will make good progress. |
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| Madagascar cyclone toll doubled 25.02.08, Source:BBC News Nearly 145,000 people have been left homeless by a cyclone that tore through Madagascar, killing 44 people. The figures double previous estimates of the havoc wreaked by the category three cyclone and have raised fears of a humanitarian catastrophe. Cyclone Ivan struck the island's east coast last Sunday, and was followed by torrential rains which caused flooding, leaving many communities cut off. Winds gusting at more than 230km/h (140mph) caused widespread damage. With large areas of the huge Indian Ocean island still only accessible by air or water, infectious diseases such as diarrhoea are reported to be on the rise. Risk of disease Malagasy officials say the difficulty in reaching isolated villages has hampered the relief effort after an urgent appeal for international assistance was launched on Friday. With the cyclone season not expected to end until April, the government has warned that further storms could follow. Foreign Affairs Minister Gen Marcel Rajeev said the situation on the ground was "deplorable" and warned last week that things are likely to get worse. "Whole villages have been wiped out, many roads are completely blocked, buildings have been destroyed and in the capital the water has risen extremely quickly," he said. |
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Cyclone Ivan sweeps across Madagascar, heads for Mozambique
According to Dia Styvanley Soa, spokeswoman for the National Office for Natural Disasters Preparedness (BNGRC), "Nine people were crushed under the rubble of a hotel," and have been presumed dead, at least two other people were reported dead and thousands more have been affected. Ivan, a category four cyclone - the scale only goes to five - while still over the sea, and winds of up to 210km per hour just before it hit, made its way across the island as a category three, slowly diminishing in strength to a tropical storm. Its expected trajectory has taken it just north of the capital, Antananarivo. No figures but fear for the worst "There are no figures yet. Assessment are underway but we expect extensive damage, initially because of the winds, and over the next few days because of flooding," Edouard Libeau, Emergency Specialist at the UN's Children Fund (UNICEF) in Madagascar, told IRIN while he was stranded in Madagascar's second city, Toamasina, in the east of the island, while trying to reach the affected areas. "We are 100 kilometres (south) from where the eye of the cyclone landed. There are very strong winds, infrastructure has been damaged, bridges have been flooded and we cannot pass. Electric cables are broken, roofs have been ripped off, one out of every five electricity poles is down." He said schools and hospitals had also been severely damaged. Libeau estimated that over two million Malagasy lived in the towns, cities and villages that had been in the path of the storm, though he expected fewer would have been directly affected. According to the BNGRC's Soa, "Ivan passed though highly populated areas and there was lots of rain. Almost all the towns where Ivan has passed are flooded now. The level of rivers and the sea is rising, and in the capital there is also risk of floods." A BNGRC team and helicopter were deployed to assess the situation on Monday. "Assessment is the priority now, to know exactly the extent of the damage. We know there is a need for food, for shelter, but we don't know for how many people," Soa said. Ivan is now moving toward the Mozambique Channel. Across the channel, flood-drenched Mozambique, where over 200,000 people are still at risk from rising rivers, has been put on cyclone alert. Although the storm looks likely to continue dissipating, there are fears that the heavy rain associated with Ivan could bring further flooding. Not the first time and certainly not the last Madagascar has a history of devastating cyclone encounters: the previous one, Fame, in late January 2008, claimed 12 lives; in the 2007 cyclone season, the worst in living memory, six of these storms ravaged the island, killing over 150 people. During 2006/07 there was unprecedented flooding in the centre and north of the country, with chronic drought in the south. The island nation faced an unusually difficult period and by the end of March 2007, the combined effects of the disasters had left nearly half a million people in need of humanitarian assistance. tdm/he (END) |
With wind speeds of up to 210 km per hour, Ivan tears across Madagascar Photo: Unicef Madagascar |
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Madagascar Government predicts major floods10.01.08, Source: OCHA The Government of Madagascar predicts that between January and March 2008 there will be a high likelihood of floods due to rains and estimates that up to 600,000 people will be affected, especially in the north and east of the country. In country resources can respond to the immediate needs of 60,000 people in the initial start-up phase of operations. The national disaster management authority (BNGRC) is pre-positioning food and non-food items in 10 locations in the areas most likely to be affected. Additional capacities are likely to be needed in the areas of information management, training on rapid assessment tools at the local level, and logistical support (air and maritime). |
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World Health Organisation warns ofhigh levels of malaria07.01.08, Source: IRIN JOHANNESBURG, 2 January 2008 (IRIN) - The World Health Organisation (WHO) is warning of the possibility of above average malaria transmission levels in the region this season prompted by unusually high wet conditions because of the climate phenomenon called La Niña. "Malaria is a climate sensitive disease and for this time of the year we have experienced uncommonly heavy rainfall and flooding in parts of southern Africa," said Joaquim Da Silva, WHO's Malaria Epidemics & Emergency Officer in the region. La Niña is characterised by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, recorded every three to four years, which causes a ripple effect felt across the globe, making wet regions wetter and dry ones even drier. As a result of La Niña's impact, which lasts for nine to 12 months, rains were unusually heavy in parts of eastern Africa in 2007. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Drought Monitoring Centre's latest report said a La Niña event was now well established and has forecast heavy rainfall for Angola, Zambia, northern Zimbabwe, Malawi, northern Mozambique, southern Tanzania and the southern coast of Madagascar until February. "We are watching out for possible flooding in the river systems of the Zambezi [Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique], Okavango [Angola, Nambia, Botswana], Limpopo [South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique] and the Pungwe [Zimbabwe and Mozambique] in the region," said Da Silva. Seasonal flooding was common in these river systems, but this year the impact could be severe, he added. "We are watching the situation; no epidemics have been reported yet," said Da Silva. The WHO has asked countries in the region to distribute insecticide treated nets, ensure anti-malaria drugs were available in health facilities and organise social mobilisation to raise awareness about the high transmission levels expected this season. WHO was particularly concerned about parts of the region where seasonal or epidemic malaria was common such as parts of Angola, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Madagascar, as adequate protective immunity may never build up and could lead to a number of deaths, said Da Silva. In endemic areas, such as Mozambique with high levels of transmission, newborn children, who are protected in their first months of life by the antibodies of their immune mothers, could be more vulnerable. Malaria is the second leading cause of deaths in southern Africa and kills an average 400,000 people every year in the SADC region. |
Photo: Unicef
HoverAid works with education teams from Aid Agency PSI delivering mosquito nets in Madagascar
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Second Hovercraft arrives in Madagascar 07.12.07, posted by Andy Mayo River Rover 403 has arrived in safely in Madagascar. In February this year it was in Zimbabwe and there was little prospect of it being brought safely out of the troubled country, but then major floods in Mozambique threatened thousands and HoverAid decided to give it one more try. Standing at the Zimbabwean border, trying to explain why we were exporting a hovercraft was not one of the simplest tasks, but eventually, and with good humour the border police let us cross. Sometimes even the most questionable regimes have a human face, and recognise the plight of others. We travelled to Caia in Mozambique and then on to the vast flooded area near Mutarara on the Zambezi where we worked with Oxfam delivering supplies and aid workers to isolated areas. When we judged there was no longer a need for the hovercraft we headed to South Africa and RR403 was temporarily imported and garaged at the MAF South Africa Hangar whilst we sought funds to move it on to its final destination. And now, after an eventful year RR403 has arrived in Madagascar, joining RR501 (which is a very similar hovercraft) so that HoverAid can operate the two together. This will give us further capacity, and enable us to operate safely over a greater range. It's just great news for the people of Madagascar, and the Mangoky and Malambulu rivers where RR403 will be used initially. More to the point cyclones are already forming in the Southern Indian Ocean - a month earlier than usual - and so '403 will be made ready quickly so that we can respond to the floods that will almost certainly affect Madagascar over the coming season. Thanks to all of you who prayed and gave so that '403 could be recovered from what was a fairly difficult situation. We are very grateful to Mearsk Shipping who sponsored the container costs, and everyone at Vision Valley Church in Antananrivo, MAF Madagascar, and many others who helped make it possible to get our second hovercraft into the country. |
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Dutch TV programmes are a success 06.11.07, posted by Andy Mayo A series of TV programmes called Nederlands Helpt made by Dutch TV company EO have been shown nationwaide in the Netherlands and have already raised over £20,000 towards the work of HoverAid Madagascar. The programmes can be viewed from our movies and galleries section - the films are in Dutch, but the message is clear: HoverAid is making a real difference to the lives of thousands of people along the Mangoky River in southern Madagascar. |
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HoverDoctors at "Hotel Alpha" “Godbless you!” The simple phrase from the pastor at the little Lutheran church in Beroroha spoke volumes. Villagers along the upper reaches of the Mangoky and Mackay rivers in central Madagascar were overjoyed when HoverAid brought a senior medical team from Africa Inland Mission to the area. Dr Jonathan Lee, Dr Clément Ralison, and Mr Gwangsu Yi treated more than 400 patients during their stay with HoverAid in July, and they hope to return soon to do more.
We used the River Rover hovercraft to reach villages and meet elders well in advance of the medical team arriving, which enabled more patients to be seen as news of the hoverdoctors spread.
Malaria, bilharzia, and sexually transmitted diseaeses (STDs) are common, but there were infected wounds from encounters with pigs and cattle to deal with, gunshot wounds, and burns made worse by traditional healers applying poultices. A little girl with a large bean stuck in her nasal cavity was lucky the doctors had visited as it could have killed her.
Dr Lee was concerned at the high levels of STDs. HIV rates have been relatively low in Madagascar, but that is changing. Communities such as those along the Mangoky are at a high level of risk. The hovercraft is a vital tool in spreading information about HIV, Malaria, Bilharzia and waterborn diseases; reaching people who are isolated, and bringing hope as well as help to those in need.
In addition to AIM we had two other teams with us at “Hotel Alpha”, a group of Baptist theographers mapping belief systems and researching the level of knowledge of the Gospel, and a TV crew from Dutch Channel EO who are making four programmes about HoverAid to be broadcast in September.
“Hotel Alpha” (the Radio call sign for HoverAid’s base camp) has been busy. As for the River Rover… “Romeo Romeo, where are you…!”
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Mangoky river, south west Madagascar July 2007The first two weeks of July the HoverAid team in Madagascar worked in the region of Beroroha, in the south west of Madagascar. During these weeks we worked with several partner organisations. We transported a team of the Southern Baptist along the Mangoky and Makai River. This team is doing a language study in the region and are surveying the level of evangelism under the Bara tribe. The first impression of this survey is that the knowledge of the gospel is almost zero. Not for nothing is the region around Beroroha marked as spiritually one of the darkest zones of Madagascar. A team of surgeons working for the African Inland Mission did medical work in some villages along the Makai River, a tributary of the Mangoky. They worked a day in the hospital of Beroroha. The surgeons were requested by the mayor of Beroroha to see some victims of a cattle raiding in Bemavo. Both patients were shot when they chased the raiders. Three of their group were killed. In the hospital in Beroroha the surgeons operated both patients, one was hit in his hip, and the other one had a severe bullet wound in his under leg. Another operation done by the surgeons was a man with an abscess growing in his groin. The operation was successful; however a second one is required. We are now planning to bring surgeons back at the end of July to do the second operation. In the villages HoverAid brought them, they performed mainly as general practitioners. Many people were treated for parasites, malaria and infected wounds. In the camp every day more patients showed up, some operations were done in the camp. For example a kid and a lady were operated on a harelip. During one week a Dutch film crew followed the team of HoverAid and the team of surgeons. They are making a documentary for the Christian TV station EO to highlight the work of HoverAid in Madagascar. After the filming around Beroroha we visited the area of Nosy Varika on the East coast of Madagascar. In this region we visited a feeding centre for malnourished children. A visit was also brought to a village where BushProof together with ICCO’s partner SAF/FJKM, has placed several water pumps. This provides the population with clean drinking water and has reduced the number of people suffering from diarrhoea significantly. The purpose of this visit was to show the possibilities of changing a situation if the region is accessible. The region of Beroroha, and with that many other regions along the west coast, were inaccessible but now with the hovercraft this has changed. And thus has opened the door for relief and development organisations to start programmes in these regions. |
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HoverAid is back on the Mangoky river in Madagascar's Western region, in the same area that we visited in the Autumn of 2006. We are using the hovercraft to enable some doctors from African Inland Mission to access villages that had not experienced medical care for a long time. Two Korean doctors and one Malagasy doctor have managed to treat over 350 people in less that a week. The treatments range from minor surgery on a variety of wounds to treatments of malaria, TB and much of the ever-present bilharzia. They have been able to set up a clinic for pregnancy advice: one 26 year old woman visited the clinic with her ten children wanting to know how she could stop getting pregnant - there has been no family planning advice in her village before. Another case involved a small girl who had to be restrained by six adults as the doctors carefully removed from her nose a bean that had become infected: though painful, this delicate procedure saved her from the effects of the ongoing infection, which could have been fatal. We are also transporting a group of Baptist translators around the area - they are undertaking research on the various local languages with a view to working in the region long-term. They have been amazed at such a vast population that have not previously been reached. The hovercraft is opening up a vast stretch of villages in which there is real need. |
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Preparations are underway in Antananarivo for cyclone relief work should a cyclone make significant landfall this season. Cyclone Bondo moved along the west coast in late december initially coming ashore as a category 3 storm (it was category 4 the day before but thankfully it weakened), and in the first week of January cyclone Clovis crossed the country. Clovis was weaker but brought massive rainfall with it - Maintirano on the West Coast received over 1 metre of rain in 5 days. Should even a fraction of that amount fall further inland there could be major floods. The skirt on 501 has suffered less wear and tear than expected following the operations on the Mangoky, and it is the transporter trailer rather than the hovercraft which is the focus of attention - it needs new tyres, but more than that it really needs an additional axle to deal with the worst of the roads. |
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09.11.06, post copied from communication with Jakob Adolf Tomorrow we are flying in again into the old airstrip with the chief of staff of the ministry of Transport and a person from the Malagasy port authorities so they can have a look at the way to work with the hovercraft and to hopefully continue the discussion about licensing the vehicle. Also I am bringing in an electronics expert to improve the range of the hovercraft mounted HF. We are hoping to take the minister of transport to Beroroha next week Thursday... But that is still not confirmed. Tomorrow the Malagasy government will publish its 5 year development plan for the country.
I think this is a great opportunity to establish ourselves in the humanitarian transport sector in Madagascar. The right time, the right place! |
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13.10.06, posted by Andy Mayo Well it's finally here, River Rover 501 is in Antananarivo, the capital city of Madagascar. Its taken us three weeks to finalise all the paperwork but last Wednesday we got word that the final round of papers and payments were underway so we headed to the port town of Toamasina (or Tamatave as it's still known). We managed to arrange to have the container with 501 in it delivered to a compound near to the port, and so around 2pm on Thursday the strangely familiar blue container arrived, towed on a creaking trailer by a rather battered tractor. A container lifter took the container off the trailer and gently lowered it to the ground, narrowly avoiding a nearby office building. The sense of anticipation was rather intense as we didn't know how well the hovercraft would have survived the journey, but once a pair of bolt croppers were found to break open the seals we swung back the doors and peered inside - and 501 peered back! We unloaded the container in under two hours and so far we haven't found anything that didn't make it in one piece. Tomorrow we can start putting the fans onto the back of the craft and preparing her to go to the Mangoky river. Lots to do! |
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