UK embassy staff assess cyclone recovery in Ikongo

UK embassy staff, led by Ambassador David Ashley, recently visited Ikongo, a district in southeast Madagascar, to evaluate the impact of British government assistance on the region’s recovery

Ikongo, severely affected by Cyclone Batsirai last year, suffered devastating mudslides that claimed nearly a hundred lives. The cyclone damaged the district’s fragile infrastructure, including roads, schools, medical facilities, and homes.

Furthermore, it caused widespread agricultural destruction, leading to prolonged food insecurity – which is a danger to its population.

UK embassy staff support for Ikongo’s recovery

The British Embassy team, led by Ambassador David Ashley, ventured into the worst-hit areas of southern Ikongo. Their mission was to assess how British government aid, provided through the UK-based charity Feedback Madagascar, its Malagasy partners Ny Tanintsika, and the World Food Programme (WFP), is aiding the region’s recovery.

Rebuilding key infrastructure in Ikongo

Ambassador Ashley, accompanied by the District Chief, inaugurated a vital bridge in Ifanirea, reconstructed with British funding. The team also visited 21 schools where damaged roofs had been rebuilt, engaging with students and educators. Additionally, the ambassador explored two new medical centres, funded by the UK, in Ankarimbelo.

Aid impact on the ground

Ambassador Ashley met with the Governor of Fitovinany during the visit, local authorities, and the regional WFP office. He learned firsthand from residents how WFP food aid, partly funded by the UK, had alleviated food shortages.

Discussions with farmers, supported by Feedback Madagascar, revealed their successful access to seeds for planting new crops. In anticipation of the International Day of the Girl, the ambassador engaged with girls aged 12 to 14 in Ankarimbelo to understand their aspirations and concerns.

Ambassador ashley’s reflection

Reflecting on his three-day visit, Ambassador Ashley expressed deep gratitude for the warm welcome from the people of Ifanirea, Antodinga, and Ankarimbelo. He acknowledged the British Government’s instrumental role in helping these communities recover from the cyclone’s devastation.

Nevertheless, he highlighted the continued challenges faced in this remote and breathtaking part of the country, emphasising the need for further road infrastructure, educational facilities, and food security improvements.

The ambassador emphasised the importance of accessible and quality primary and secondary education, especially after speaking with the young girls in Ankarimbelo, who embody the potential of the region’s youth. He commended the dedicated work of partners Feedback Madagascar, Ny Tanintsika, and WFP, as well as the cooperation of local authorities during their visit.