Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to provide support for people in Madagascar affected by Tropical Cyclone Batsirai following the impact of Tropical Storm Ana.

The UK is deeply concerned about the impact of Tropical Cyclone Batsirai, which hit South Eastern Madagascar on 5th February. Impact and needs assessments are currently underway, results are expected at the end of this week. We know 131,000 people in Madagascar were affected by Tropical Storm Ana in January.

The Red Cross Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) has allocated funding CHF750,000 (approx. £600,000) for both Tropical Cyclone Batsirai and Tropica Storm Ana. The Start Network has set aside nearly £420,000 to provide assistance through cash transfers, in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Batsirai. The UK is a contributor to, and champion of, these funds. In addition to these steps, ahead of these weather events we were able to share the precise data and expertise of the UK Met Office, allowing partners to prepare.

The UK will continue to closely monitor the situation in Madagascar to understand if further support is needed.