Crisis in Madagascar

Madagascar: Key facts

• Population: 32,7 Million
• People in need: 4.7 Million
• GDP: US$19.38 Billion
• HDI: Ranked 183/193

Extreme weather and political unrest

"In recent years, my eggplant and pepper yields have declined dramatically. The plants have dried up, rotted, or been eaten by insects,” said Mama, a farmer from Madagascar. Smallholder farmers like her are the first to feel the effects of a changing climate. They depend on their harvest for income: “I could no longer afford to pay for my children’s education.” Changing environmental conditions are hitting the island nation in the Indian Ocean off the southeast coast of Africa particularly hard.

Drought, floods, cyclones

In the first half of 2025, Madagascar was hit by several severe disasters, including droughts, floods, and cyclones. Cyclones Honde and Jude struck within just two weeks of each other. Strong winds and flooding damaged schools and health facilities, destroyed farmland, and led to a shortage of clean drinking water. From late December 2024 to March 2025, more than 200,000 people were affected in the south of the country, and over 46,000 were displaced. Women and children in particular are at increased risk of targeted violence as a result of displacement and destruction.

But it wasn’t just the effects of the climate crisis that shaped 2025. Madagascar was recently in the headlines because of political unrest: at the end of September, protests broke out in the capital Antananarivo and other locations. Shortly afterwards, the military took power. The unrest occurred amid an already tense humanitarian situation: in 2025, 4.7 million people, including 2.3 million children, were in need of humanitarian aid due to food insecurity, disease outbreaks, and climate disasters.

Women save together for financial independence

CARE works to support the economic independence of women in Madagascar through small savings groups. “Since I joined the savings group, my life has completely changed,” said Georlina. She is the mother of three children and chairwoman of a small savings group in a village near Mahajanga in northwestern Madagascar. “With the savings group, I was able to gradually increase my income. I am currently developing a business plan to breed Muscovy ducks. This will enable me to become financially independent.”

As a leader within the group, Georlina has participated in regional exchange programs and training courses for female managers. She is also a member of a local rescue team that helps communities prepare for natural disasters and mitigate their effects.

CARE in Madagascar

CARE has worked in Madagascar since 1992. In partnership with local organizations, such as SAF/FJKM and Action Intercoopération Madagascar (AIM), CARE supports communities in adapting to the impacts of environmental change and improving the food situation. CARE provides emergency assistance to populations affected by disasters, supports the construction and rehabilitation of homes and community infrastructure, and helps families resume agricultural activities and restore their livelihoods.

How can I help people in Madagascar?

Donate now to support CARE's life-saving work in Madagascar and around the world. Together, we can help to transform lives across the globe.

Your donation could help provide life-saving aid when disaster strikes, and give women and their communities the resources and opportunities they need to survive and thrive.

Ten forgotten crises

The CARE Crisis Report is published annually and highlights the ten crises that receive the least media attention. In 2025 Madagascar ranked as the tenth least reported crisis in the world.