UN approves 3 mln USD for Madagascar for Cyclone Gezani response

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations has allocated 3 million U.S. dollars for emergency aid to Madagascar following devastating Tropical Cyclone Gezani, UN humanitarians said Thursday.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the allocation from the Central Emergency Response Fund will help more than 90,000 people. Additional funds from other donors are helping to kick-start response efforts.

With the storm raging across eastern and central Madagascar, local authorities have reported 31 people dead, four missing and 35 injured. Preliminary reports indicated that more than 250,000 people have been affected, with nearly 7,000 people displaced.

The office said more than 65,000 homes were flooded, damaged, or destroyed, and about 600 classrooms were rendered partially or completely unusable.

OCHA said the government has called for international support and is leading search-and-rescue, evacuation, shelter and food assistance efforts, including the distribution of some 800 metric tonnes of rice, with support from the world body and partners.

OCHA said the cyclone could affect central and southern Mozambique in the coming days. ■