Madagascar Cyclones: UNDP Satellite Analysis Reveals Deepened Vulnerability & Food Security Risks

Antananarivo, Madagascar – Twin cyclones have deepened existing vulnerabilities for hundreds of thousands of people in Madagascar, with the hardest-hit communities already struggling to meet basic needs, according to a new geospatial assessment released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on February 19, 2026. The analysis reveals a disproportionate impact on the country’s poorest populations, raising concerns about food security and hindering recovery efforts.

Cyclone Fytia made landfall on the west coast of Madagascar between January 31 and February 1, 2026, followed by Cyclone Gezani, which struck near the port city of Toamasina on February 10, 2026. The back-to-back storms caused widespread flooding and destruction to homes, farmland, and critical infrastructure.

The UNDP’s assessment, utilizing satellite imagery combined with socioeconomic data, indicates that floodwaters reached areas inhabited by up to 350,000 people. Critically, as many as 63 percent of those affected were already lacking reliable access to essential services and adequate living conditions prior to the cyclones. This pre-existing vulnerability has transformed the impact of the storms from a natural disaster into a humanitarian crisis with potentially long-lasting consequences.

“For families who were already living day to day, these floods are a breaking point,” said Dr. Edward A. Christow, UNDP Resident Representative in Madagascar. “We can see clearly where homes, crops and incomes have been washed away in communities that had the least to begin with. Acting quickly in these hardest-hit areas is critical to help people rebuild their livelihoods and regain stability.”

Madagascar’s agricultural sector has been particularly devastated. Nearly eight out of ten households in the country rely on farming for income and food, making the loss of cropland a significant threat to food security. Satellite data reveals that up to 174,100 hectares of cropland were flooded. In some eastern communes, more than 80 percent of cropland was affected, jeopardizing local food supplies and markets.

The impact on individual livelihoods is stark. Mrs. Lala, a mother of six children in Antetezambaro, expressed fears of famine, stating, “The crops are damaged and yields will be low. We are truly afraid of famine this year. We still have some of last year’s harvest to sell, but once those reserves are depleted, we will be in dire straits.”

Beyond crop losses, the cyclones have disrupted economic activity across the affected regions. Volamanana Clarisse, a milk vendor in Antetezambaro, highlighted the challenges posed by power outages. “I make a living from selling milk work. But without electricity, I can’t run my refrigerator to store the milk. Before the cyclone, I sold up to 150 litres of milk a day. Now, I only sell 20 litres,” she said.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) reported on February 13, 2026, that approximately 400,000 people are facing acute humanitarian needs following the cyclones. WFP Country Director Tania Goossens, speaking from Antananarivo, described the scale of destruction in Toamasina as “overwhelming,” noting that 80 percent of the city suffered damage and is operating with only around five percent of its normal electricity supply. A WFP warehouse and office in Toamasina were also completely destroyed during Cyclone Gezani.

Official reports indicate 38 deaths and 374 injuries as of February 13, 2026. Many families have been displaced from their homes, with significant damage reported to buildings, businesses, schools, and healthcare facilities. Uprooted trees and debris are blocking streets, and access to fuel is limited.

The UNDP is collaborating with national and local authorities to prioritize recovery planning, utilizing satellite data and field verification to ensure assistance reaches those most in need. The focus is on restoring irrigation systems, clearing debris, repairing roads, and providing support to small farmers and businesses. The urgency of the situation is underscored by the risk of deepening food insecurity and prolonged displacement if swift action is not taken.

The situation in Madagascar highlights the vulnerability of low-income countries to the escalating impacts of climate change. The country has a history of being impacted by cyclones, but the increasing frequency and intensity of these events are exacerbating existing challenges and threatening the livelihoods of millions.