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EMERGENCY RELIEF


Watch three ALT slide shows
about the ALT Relief Projects.

(1) Relief Dunes Coast

(2) Stabilising Amboñaivo

(3) Relief Forestry



Each year upwards of thirteen communes in the Androy Region of southern Madagascar suffer drought and severe food shortages (EC SAP). Villagers survive on a limited diet of raketa mena (prickly pear), and forage in the forests for food for up to three months during an annual hunger gap. Children suffer malnutrition and villagers are often forced to sell their kitchen utensils to buy food or, as a last resort, trade their cattle – a main capital asset - to survive the hardship.

In the past ALT has extended its own drought mitigation and fuel efficiency programmes to respond to these hardship periods. It has worked with FAO and World Food Programme to distribute seed and food to affected populations.

In March 2009 the Androy was blessed with some exceptional rains, providing perfect conditions for planting for a second harvest, also to plant trees and succulents to stabilise dunes that are burying villages and agricultural fields along the southern coastline.

These rains provided a window of opportunity which enabled ALT to directly mobilize its own food for work style programme and assist local people directly suffering from food shortages.

Thanks to funding from Balcombe Trust ALT was able to implement a relief programme which would engage 130 local communities in money for food for work, helping those in some of the worst hit areas at a time they most needed assistance,  whilst undertaking activities which would also benefit them in the longer term.

Funds supported an integrated programme which engaged 6 communes to participate in the projects, enabling them to address some of their most pressing environmental issues: dune formation, deforestation, and water shortages.

4,867 villagers who directly participated in the activities received money for food, which indirectly assisted approximately 20,000 beneficiaries (average household = 6.25 persons).

The projects responded to local needs identified by the local population and resulted in: 

  • stabilization of 25 dunes and planting seedlings for wind breaks on 6 coastal dunes;
  • creation of 43 water capture basins;
  • reforestation of 68 hectares at 61 sites of Spiny Forest with as many communities.
  • 86,018 tree seedlings or cuttings were planted during the course of the projects.
  • 300,000 sisal plants and bermuda grass seedlings were planted on inland dunes
  • 15,000 ipomoia (lalanda) cuttings planted on coastal dunes alongside filao seedlings.

The activities undertaken therefore also have positive impacts on environmental management, agriculture, and animal husbandry. ALT is indebted to Steven Lellelid, a local consultant, who spearheaded the work with the local communities. Steven’s films of the work can be seen on youtube at :

Andranosinike - Water Ditches (1)
Andranosinike - Water Ditches (2)
Andranosinike - Water Basins
Afondralambo Dune Stabilisation
Belemboke North - Reforestation
Belenboke Summit - Reforestation
Sivey Tree Planting - Reforestation
Dam Projects



















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