Catholic Relief Services Calls for Humanitarian Corridor in Madagascar

Catholic Relief Services
Thursday, 18 April 2002

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) today called for the creation of a humanitarian corridor in Madagascar for the delivery of medicine and food supplies to those suffering under the current crisis. Four months after contested elections effectively split the island, leaving competing governments and rival capitals, the Madagascar Supreme Court has nullified the election results and called for a recount – a decision agreed to by both sides at a meeting of African leaders in Dakar, Senegal. At present, road blockages and fuel shortages continue to threaten the lives of the island nation's most vulnerable citizens, including women and children.

In a joint statement, CRS and several other international humanitarian organizations called for a safe and open passage for much needed medical and food supplies. "Women and children are paying the price of political discord with their lives," the organizations stated, noting:

- An estimated 15,000 children under age five could die each month without a constant flow of medical supplies.

- Shortages of basic food will increase the number of children at risk in a country where malnutrition accounts for more than half of all child mortality.

- Interruption of vaccination activities alone could yield one thousand more deaths each month.

"This standoff is having a tremendous impact on the people," said Jennifer Overton, CRS' Country Representative for Madagascar. "We have food that was a gift from the United States government to the Malagasy people, and we can't get it out of the port. Our distribution centers are running low – in fact, some have given out all they had. The situation can only improve if we have the freedom to move about and serve those in need in what is fast becoming their greatest time of need."

December's initial election result tally indicated neither candidate won outright and that a runoff was required. Declaring fraud, hundreds of thousands staged a monthlong peaceful protest in support of opposition candidate Marc Ravalomanana. With negotiations stalled, Ravalomanana declared himself president, named a cabinet and set up a government in the capital city of Antananarivo. Supporters of incumbent president Didier Ratsiraka subsequently established a rival capital at the port city of Tamatave and blockaded Antananarivo in an attempt to cripple the city's economy.

Madagascar, located off the southeast coast of Africa, is the fourth largest island in the world and home to nearly 16 million people. CRS has operated in Madagascar since 1962, with programs across the island focusing on maternal health and child survival.

Catholic Relief Services is the official relief and development agency of the United States Catholic community. Founded in 1943, the agency provides assistance to people in more than 80 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Catholic Relief Services provides assistance on the basis of need, not race, creed or nationality.

For more information, or to contact Catholic Relief Services, see their website at: www.catholicrelief.org