The emergency allocation program is part of the Cash Working Group's joint response to the humanitarian crisis in southern Madagascar.
Anja Rasoa, farmer, lives in the village of Tanambao, rural commune of Ifotaka District of Amboasary Atsimo, Region Androy. She is a 27 year old single mother with five dependent children. All three of these children were victims of severe acute malnutrition at the onset of the crisis in 2020.
The distribution of 100,000Ar (25UDS) per month by UNICEF, with the Intervention Fund for Development, saved the life of this family. When we received this Toseke (which means support), our lives really improved. We can now eat twice a day. And I spent the 50% of the allowance in feeding my small family. I was able to pay school fees and buy school supplies for my children. They are healthy now and very clean like never before and I am very happy to see them clean. And I can even save a little in case my kids get sick. ''
Nety Sailambo 47 years old with 8 dependent children, including her grandchildren. Her husband who had worked in the field of tourism (tourist guide in a hotel in Ifotaka) became unemployed following the hanging of COVID-19. He is currently ill.
"I was able to set up my little food court thanks to the monthly allowance I got from UNICEF," she says. " I no longer borrow from people as before, but even if I am in difficulty, I borrow from our community group" Firaisan-kina "or solidarity which is a village Association of Savings and Credit. As a farmer I really needed seed and with that money I was also able to buy sweet potato cuttings and had a harvest bag which replenished our food ration for a month and a half. What's more, the most important thing is that my husband, who is not in good health at the moment, can undergo medical treatment."
Fanomezana Philomène, a 67-year-old grandmother with 6 dependent grandchildren like the father of the children, is no longer there.
Not only has she been able to meet the basic needs of her grandchildren, including food, education and health, she is also gradually starting to purchase kitchen utensils, as well as poultry and small ruminants. "I have acquired new pots and now I also have chickens and a little goat which I am buying little by little thanks to the allowance that I receive every month," she said.
"Not only do we receive money each month to survive, but we also benefit from several themes of awareness through the mother leaders. What interested me the most is the use of the contraceptive method because I already have 4 children. I have used a contraceptive implant since last year '' (pointing to the inside of his arm). Delphine 32 years old mother of 4 children.
The emergency allocation program is part of the Cash Working Group's joint response to the humanitarian crisis in southern Madagascar. The program is funded by the Joint SDG Fund, Norad and FCDO until the end of January 2022. UNICEF is urgently seeking additional funds to continue the humanitarian response program.