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Madagascar Olympians get WOA help to aid flood victims

11 | 3 | 2015

The WOA has come to the aid of flood stricken residents in Madagascar following weeks of heavy rain in the area and an appeal from Madagascar Olympians.  Madagascar Olympians President Rosa Rakotozafy asked the WOA to help with the NOA's fund raising drive which aims to assist Olympians and local residents in overcoming the crisis by providing food, medicines and shelter.

In the past week, at least 14 people have died and more than 21,000 have been forced from their homes due to the severe weather in the Madagascan capital of Antananarivo and the surrounding areas. Residents from several neighbourhoods have been evacuated and the flooding has affected all essential services in the city.

Around fifty houses collapsed when three rivers burst their banks and a number of dams broke near the capital. Locals are using wooden canoes and makeshift boats to leave the flooded areas and Madagascan authorities are expecting more damage in the coming days due to further heavy rain in the area.

This latest crisis comes on the back of another major disaster earlier this year. In January, severe tropical storm Chedza flooded Madagascar killing 80 people across the island.

The WOA donation will be used to support the work the Madagascan Olympians Association is carrying out in Antananarivo providing food, shelter and logistical support to those affected.

WOA PresidentJoël Bouzou, said:

“We were sad to hear of the devastation the recent floods have caused in Madagascar but we’re pleased to be able to offer assistance in this way. We are proud of the work the NOA is carrying out in the community, helping those in need during the difficult circumstances. We wish the people of Madagascar all the best for a speedy recovery.”

Olympian Rosa RakotozafyPresident of the NOA and Minister of Youth Affairs and Sport in Madagascar said:

“The recent adverse weather conditions have caused so much destruction in Madagascar and many people have lost their lives as a result and many are homeless. As Olympians we could not stand by and do nothing so we launched our fund raising drive. We are extremely grateful for the support the WOA has offered our people and we intend to put the funds to good use by helping Olympians and others hit hardest by the flooding.”