Highlights

• Results of the rapid inter-sectoral assessments indicate that 116,701 people have been affected by Tropical Cyclone Freddy.

• To help populations recover from Tropical Cyclone Freddy, WFP will provide cash-based transfers to 100,000 beneficiaries and food assistance to 30,000 beneficiaries for 6 months. This is in addition to WFP’s response Tropical Storm Cheneso (January 2023), for which WFP is assisting 50,000 people with multipurpose cash transfer until July in the north-east.

• WFP has a net funding requirement of USD 36m for its emergency operations in the south-east (February to July 2023). Pipeline breaks start in April.

WFP response – Freddy

• Hot meals: On 25 February, BBC documented WFP hot meals preparation/distribution in Mananjary, interviewing women-headed households in a video. WFP has provided 53,320 hot meals since Tuesday in 56 shelters in Nosy Varika, Farafangana, Mananjary, Mahanoro and Manakara.

• HEB: 20 MT of high energy biscuits (HEB) are in transit, expected to arrive in Antananarivo early this week for distribution to the most affected populations, with a balance to be kept as contingency stock.

• Prepositioned food: Drawing on its 360 MT of prepositioned stock, WFP distributed 5-day food rations in Vohipeno last week, reaching 5,650 people. WFP plans to reach a total of 20,000 people in Vohipeno with food assistance (52 MT) by end of next week.

• Food and cash assistance: To help populations recover from the disaster, WFP will provide cash-based transfers to nearly 100,000 beneficiaries and food assistance to approximately 30,000 beneficiaries for 6 months.

Source: World Food Programme