The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has deployed its Emergency Response Team (ERT) to Madagascar to support disaster response efforts following the devastating impact of Tropical Cyclone Gezani, which made landfall on February 10, 2026. This is the second cyclone to hit Madagascar in just ten days, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
The ERT, comprising experts from MapAction, Rescue South Africa, and the World Food Programme (WFP), will provide technical support to national authorities from February 16-28, 2026, in areas such as emergency response coordination, search and rescue, geospatial expertise, and situation monitoring.
Cyclone Gezani brought heavy rainfall, strong winds, and storm surges, causing widespread destruction and displacement, with over 400,000 people affected across 18 districts in five regions. The SADC deployment aims to complement government-led efforts and support regional humanitarian appeal.
The Government of Madagascar has mobilized national response services and launched an appeal for regional and international assistance. SADC’s Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC) is working closely with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and national disaster management structures to support response efforts.
