Church addresses food insecurity in Madagascar


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.

How to help

To learn more about or to support The United Methodist Church’s work in Madagascar, email episcopadomoz@gmail.com. Donations to the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s International Disaster Response and Recovery can be made through Advance #982450.

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.

Community members from Andranokaky, Madagascar, celebrate the food and other supplies distributed by The United Methodist Church in Madagascar. Extended drought and flooding has created food insecurity in the region. Photo by Justin Rakotoarimanana.
Community members from Andranokaky, Madagascar, celebrate the food and other supplies distributed by The United Methodist Church in Madagascar. Extended drought and flooding has created food insecurity in the region. Photo by Justin Rakotoarimanana.

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.

Women and children share a meal in Andranokaky, Madagascar. The food was distributed by members of Ambodifasika United Methodist Church with funding from the United Methodist Committee on Relief.  Photo by Justin Rakotoarimanana.
Women and children share a meal in Andranokaky, Madagascar. The food was distributed by members of Ambodifasika United Methodist Church with funding from the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Photo by Justin Rakotoarimanana.

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.

Subscribe to our
e-newsletter

Like what you're reading and want to see more? Sign up for our free daily and weekly digests of important news and events in the life of The United Methodist Church.

Keep me informed!

“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.

Rakotoarivony is a communicator for the Madagascar Mission Field of The United Methodist Church. News media contact: Julie Dwyer, news editor, newsdesk@umcom.org or 615-742-5469. To read more United Methodist news subscribe to free Daily or Weekly Digests.

Children perform a traditional dance as a sign of gratitude to volunteers from The United Methodist Church who brought them food in Andranokaky, Madagascar. Members of Ambodifasika United Methodist Church, the first United Methodist church on the island nation, traveled more than 500 miles to deliver the aid. Photo by Justin Rakotoarimanana.
Children perform a traditional dance as a sign of gratitude to volunteers from The United Methodist Church who brought them food in Andranokaky, Madagascar. Members of Ambodifasika United Methodist Church, the first United Methodist church on the island nation, traveled more than 500 miles to deliver the aid. Photo by Justin Rakotoarimanana.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Bishops
Bishop Tracy S. Malone, president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, addresses the Philippines Central Conference following the reelection of the region’s three bishops. The reelected bishops, standing from left, are Ruby-Nell M. Estrella, Israel M. Painit and Rodel M. Acdal. Seated with Malone is Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., president-elect of the council. Acdal, Estrella and Painit were reelected at the central conference’s Nov. 18-22 gathering in Cabanatuan City, Philippines. Photo by Gladys P. Mangiduyos, UM News.

Philippines reelects Acdal, Estrella, Painit

United Methodists in the Philippines have reelected three bishops and assigned them to continue in the episcopal areas that they had been leading.
Disaster Relief
Philippine Coast Guard personnel evacuate residents in the Bicol region on Oct. 24 after floodwaters rose quickly due to heavy rains brought by Tropical Storm Trami (called Kristine in the Philippines). United Methodists are among those rallying to help survivors in the wake of Trami and several other tropical storms that battered the region. Photo courtesy of the Ako Bicol Online TV Facebook page.

Church responds as typhoons batter Philippines

Filipino United Methodists are rallying to help survivors of a series of tropical storms that have caused massive flooding, washing out roads and destroying homes and crops.
Disaster Relief
Church member Sherrie Mayotte views damage to the kitchen at Pensacola United Methodist Church in Burnsville, N.C., after it was flooded by storm runoff following Tropical Storm Helene. The nearby Cane River overflowed its banks and drove a wall of water packed with mud, trees and parts of destroyed homes into the church fellowship hall and kitchen. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Hurricane Helene recovery in N.C.

United Methodists are among those helping in the mountains of Western North Carolina after the remnants of Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic flooding. Mike DuBose offers a photo essay of that work.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2024 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved