Small UMCOR grant has big impact on storm-stricken Madagascar
9/14/2000 News media contact: Linda Bloom · (646) 369-3759 · New York By Beverly Bartlett* NEW YORK (UMNS) - A small grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has reaped big rewards for a conservation and food security organization in Madagascar.
"I would like to take this opportunity to provide you with a brief update on the cyclone recovery efforts on the FCE railway in southeastern Madagascar," wrote Mark S. Freudenberger, regional director for Landscape Development Interventions, in a recent letter to UMCOR. "We feel an especially strong tie to UMCOR due to your prompt and efficient contributions of $10,000 to our reconstruction efforts.
"Due to your early confidence in us," he continued, "I'm pleased to report that this has contributed spectacularly to a contribution of $500,000 from the U.S. government through a special congressional and USAID allocation."
Madagascar was struck by cyclones Eline and Gloria in February and March of this year, affecting 700,000 people. At least 130 people were killed, according to news reports. More than 600,000 were displaced, crops were destroyed and much of the infrastructure was heavily damaged or destroyed -- in particular, the vital FCE railway link that connects the highland city of Fianrantsoa to the coastal port of Manadara.
Without the rail line, this region of Madagascar is inaccessible. The local economy is dependent on the railway to bring in food and transport agricultural and forest products to market. It is an economic lifeline for 100,000 people who use the train to transport their banana and coffee crops to market and to bring in the rice that is a staple of their diet.
Freudenberger reported the railroad was able to open again, on a very limited basis, by June 1, in time for the coffee harvest. "The regional economy has picked up again as a result, and this has staved off famine on the eastern side of the forest corridor," he said.
Further work on rebuilding the railroad will continue, along with reforestation to prevent erosion in future storms. Most of the work will be finished before the end of the year, when the rainy season begins.
Families who live along the railroad tracks have relied upon slash-and-burn agricultural techniques, which contributed to the erosion that caused the railroad to be swept away. During the rainy season, these families will work with project leaders to learn and implement different agricultural techniques.
UMCOR's quick response also enabled the project to use the agency's show of faith to obtain technical support from the government of Thailand, which sent highly skilled engineers.
Donations to UMCOR's International Disaster Response, Advance #982450-8, make it possible for the church to respond to disasters of all sizes throughout the world. Checks can be placed in church collection plates or mailed to UMCOR at 475 Riverside Dr., Room 330, New York, NY 10115.
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*Bartlett prepares UMCOR's weekly Hotline.
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