Ahlul Bayt News Agency (ABNA.ir), On 10 March 2010, tropical Cyclone Hubert struck the south-east coast of Madagascar between Tamatave and Mananjary, about 700 kilometres south east of the capital Antananarivo. Towns and villages were cut off by flooding and landslides caused by heavy rains. Moreover, disruption to communication networks has complicated relief efforts. Hubert was the first cyclone to cause serious damage on the island in the current cyclone season, which began in November and ended in April.
According to the latest estimates, at least 36 people were killed, more than 85,000 injured and about 38,000 left homeless. To complicate matters more, the danger of epidemics due to rising sea levels are high and to this end the risk of diarrhoea, malaria and respiratory infections are growing.
UNICEF responded immediately to this disaster by sending essential medicines, tarpaulins for temporary shelter, water and sanitation kits, soap, water purification tablets, jerry cans for carrying water and mosquito nets.
The Regional Council of the Indian Ocean Islands is working in partnership with the Bilal Muslim Mission of Madagascar to assist community members through this difficult time.
IMPACT OF THE CYLONE ON THE SHIA MUSLIM COMMUNITYMany of the Islamic Centres and schools situated along the south east corridor of Madagascar have been destroyed by the cyclone. This includes all of the school books and everything in the schools. Many Malagasy Shia Muslims have lost everything.
Whilst the Bilal Muslim Mission dispatched a few trucks containing food and other essential items to bring relief to these displaced families, the need for more aid is urgently needed in this disaster situation.
The following photographs were received from the Bilal Muslim Mission of Madagascar following the aftermath of Cyclone Hubert:
AN APPEAL FOR DONATIONSIn the wake of Cyclone Hubert, the Shia Muslim Community in Madagascar is going through a particularly difficult time right now. The Holy Prophet of Islam said, “A servant (of Allah) entered Paradise because of a thorn branch that he removed from the path of fellow Muslims.”
The World Federation of KSIMC has initiated the Cyclone Hubert Relief Fund and is appealing to individuals from around the world to make a donation to this call. Let us come together to make every effort to help our brothers and sisters in Madagascar in their time of need.
Donate through The World Federation, click here
Donate through CoEJ, click here
Donate through NASIMCO, click here
For more information, please email relief@world-federation.org
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