Hi everyone,
I’m from Madagascar, an island often described as a paradise, like something from a postcard. However, the reality for many communities is far from idyllic. While people elsewhere may talk about seizing the day, many here struggle simply to find food, and climate change is one of the main reasons for this situation.
Every year, Madagascar faces a cyclone season, but these cyclones are becoming increasingly frequent, intense, and destructive. In the south-east of the country, an isolated and primarily agricultural area, communities are particularly vulnerable. Cyclones regularly destroy more than half of annual crops, leaving families without food or income. As a result, undernutrition is widespread across the island, especially in the southern regions.
Beyond cyclones, prolonged drought is another major challenge. Southern Madagascar receives the lowest rainfall in the country, and climate change has further reduced precipitation. Water scarcity has become chronic. Without water, farming becomes impossible, leading to food insecurity and threatening basic survival. For many families, this is not a seasonal issue but a year-round reality.
In the capital city, Antananarivo, climate impacts are worsened by human factors. The lack of proper urban planning, insufficient drainage systems, and poorly maintained infrastructure make flooding a regular occurrence during the rainy season. Floods have almost become part of daily life, damaging homes, spreading disease, and disrupting economic activities.
Unfortunately, effective long-term solutions remain limited, particularly at the government level. Faced with repeated disasters and a lack of opportunities, many people are forced to migrate, sometimes in search of a better life, sometimes simply in search of their next meal.
This situation shows how climate change, combined with social and governance challenges, can deeply affect livelihoods, food security, and human dignity in vulnerable countries like Madagascar.