Cyclone Gezani in Madagascar: threat to access to drinking water

Images of Madagascar following Cyclone Gezani / Hery Nirina Rabary/AP/SIPA80

Tropical cyclones are one of the most devastating natural threats to Madagascar. Every year, powerful storms sweep across the island, causing massive destruction to infrastructure, homes and, above all, access to drinking water, which is essential for the health and survival of the population.

When cyclones strike, water becomes an emergency

Madagascar regularly faces cyclonic events that leave behind blocked roads, destroyed water networks, and contaminated water. Cyclones such as Alibera, which devastated Mananjary with winds of up to 155 mph, have often caused water supply systems to fail and isolated entire communities, making access to safe water virtually impossible.

When heavy rains and floods occur, sewage systems overflow and wells quickly become polluted. In some areas, water infrastructure remains out of service for weeks or even months, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid.

Access to water already fragile before the disasters

The impact of cyclones is exacerbated by the fact that Madagascar suffers from structurally low access to drinking water. Even before the disasters, only about 24% of the population had access to safe water, according to sector reports.

This situation exposes a large part of the population to untreated water, often drawn from rivers or springs that are particularly vulnerable after floods or overflowing.

Déploiement de purificateurs d'eau ORISA avec les ONG Capgemini et La Croix Rouge à Mayotte

How can we respond to the humanitarian emergency?

In such crisis situations, access to safe drinking water becomes an absolute humanitarian priority. Aid organisations, local authorities and private actors strive to restore safe water sources quickly, but this can take time, especially in remote areas.

It is in these situations that autonomous and immediately deployable solutions such as ORISA^® water purifiers come into their own.

ORISA^® purifiers: a suitable solution for Madagascar

ORISA^® water purifiers have already proven their worth in similar post-disaster situations, such as after Cyclone Chido in Mayotte, 960 units were deployed by the French Red Cross to meet urgent drinking water needs.

I want to learn more about ORISA^®

Why is ORISA^® an effective solution in the context of natural disasters?

Total autonomy: The purifiers operate without electricity, a crucial advantage when networks are down after a cyclone.

Ease of use: Their simple design allows for quick commissioning, even by non-specialised teams.

High-performance filtration: Thanks to an ultrafiltration membrane, ORISA^® eliminates bacteria, viruses and parasites present in rainwater, river water or well water.

Sustainable solution: Each membrane can filter up to 20,000 litres of water, providing a long-term solution for families or communities after a disaster

These features make ORISA^® an ideal technology for strengthening the resilience of Madagascan populations, particularly in rural or isolated areas where infrastructure is most vulnerable.

The ORISA^® water purifier

bénéficiaires du purificateur d'eau ORISA au Burkina Faso dans un village rural

ORISA^®, a tool for building resilience among vulnerable populations

Our ORISA^® purifiers are designed to be robust, durable, and suitable for emergency situations, in order to support communities affected by climate disasters such as cyclones.

In a country like Madagascar, which is often confronted with the forces of nature, preparing, equipping, and protecting populations with reliable water purification solutions is essential for health, dignity, and the ability to recover after a disaster.

Thanks to our local partners, distributors of ORISA^® solutions, water filtration devices can be deployed quickly to assist affected populations.