Key points:
With help from the United Methodist Committee on Relief, members of Ambodifasika United Methodist Church distributed food and other support to people affected by climate change in the southern part of the country.
Periods of extended drought and flooding have left many in the region facing food insecurity and extreme poverty.
Due to the poor conditions of the roads and the distance, reaching some destinations proved extremely challenging, taking up to three days.
The United Methodist Church in Madagascar is expanding its efforts to care for its neighbors facing food insecurity due to climate change.
Members of Ambodifasika United Methodist Church, the first United Methodist church on the island nation, reached out to the United Methodist Committee on Relief for assistance.
Madagascar is a mission field under the Mozambique Episcopal Area and the leadership of Bishop Joaquina Filipe Nhanala, who historically visited the country and church in February 2023.
The church received a $10,000 solidarity grant to provide aid to people suffering from food insecurity due to extended drought and later flooding. Eight church members journeyed to several communes, located over 900 kilometers (about 560 miles) south of the capital to provide support.
Due to the poor conditions of the roads and the distance, reaching some destinations proved extremely challenging, taking up to three days.
Befahy and Andranokaky in the Ihorombe region — one of the areas most plagued by food insecurity and extreme poverty — were among the places where food distribution took place.
“The rain season here is changing drastically,” said Clement Mahafaky, a resident of Andranokaky who received food aid. “What we have been experiencing over the past 10 years is beyond human understanding.”
Madagascar is renowned for the lushness of its forests, harboring some of the planet’s most delicate biodiversity, as well as for its diverse cultures found in each region of the island. Being isolated in the middle of the Indian Ocean, partly traversed by the Tropic of Capricorn, its geographical isolation renders many vast areas, particularly the southern region, arid and afflicted annually by either insufficient rainfall or flooding.
Resident Fidelis Randrianjato said while drought is a major concern, flooding creates another problem in the community.
Stagnant and dirty water from the road, collected quickly during rainfall, is used for drinking, washing and feeding animals. For months of the year, local residents often resort to eating cactus fruits that grow in many dry areas. The fruits can cause constipation in children and lead to bloating of their bellies.
“We don’t have potable water here, both people and animals share the muddy water from the ponds with its malefic results to human health,” explained one resident of the Befahy region, who asked that his name not be used.
During the trip, the team from Ambodifasika United Methodist Church reached over 300 individuals, some of whom were malnourished and suffering from common and tropical diseases.
Those who received assistance said the food support provided by UMCOR was crucial.
“I thank this church for providing food for us. … My family will have quality food, at least for two months,” said Lariky Nama of Andranokaky.
Families and individuals received rice, soap, clothing and other necessities.
“I am very happy and deeply moved by what UMCOR is doing, and the assistance you provide will help us get through the next two months,” said Bebe Sabine, a 61-year-old widow.
Justin Rakotoarimanana, one of the leaders of The United Methodist Church in Madagascar, said church members felt called to provide support to those in need.
“We members of the Ambodifasika UMC volunteered to go, as a response to the command given by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” he said.
In 2020, UNICEF estimated that 110,000 children under the age of 5 were affected by malnutrition, and over 1.14 million people required food assistance due to the drought ravaging the south of Madagascar.
“Serving one another must be our religious motto,” said Monique Ralivony, who joined the crew for the humanitarian intervention.
“I will be happy to see God’s children who are suffering receive some foodstuffs for their nutrition,” she said.
Gilbert Tsiverihasy, a 60-year-old resident of the Andranokaky commune, whose skin clung to his bones due to malnutrition, said the ministry has brought hope to many.
“This year has been too tough for us, even though it has just begun, but the aid you have provided and the message you share with us bring us a lot of encouragement and hope.”
Volunteer Ralivony said the journey was exhausting but worth the effort.
“It touched me to see people suffering from poverty and living in unimaginable conditions in the south. The roads were the most exhausting I’ve ever experienced, and there wasn’t even clean drinking water,” she said. “However, I remained motivated because I felt that UMC members all over the world were with me … (They) helped us carry out the bread and the word. … I am happy because I know there are many people helping the poor and the needy all over the world.”
Ratovohery Jean Aime, pastor of Ambodifasika United Methodist Church, said Madagascar´s location is a hindrance for support and growth of the country.
“Much work still needs to be done in Madagascar,” he said. “What we provided for the people in the south, suffering from malnutrition, was just the beginning.
“As the local UMC pastor, I truly wish we could support them in building a medical center, a water well for clean drinking water, or establish sustainable development projects to enable them to develop agriculture, but unfortunately we have no financial means to materialize that,” he said.