(English) Storm strikes children’s centre

Mae’n ddrwg gen i, mae’r cofnod hwn dim ond ar gael mewn English.

Heavy rains in and around Madagascar’s capital city Antananarivo have caused extensive damage to a children’s centre with which we work.

On Tuesday (11 November 2025) evening at about 7.15pm Malagasy-time, a storm including heavy rain, strong winds and hail, struck the Akany Avoko Ambohidatrimo (AAA) centre, home to 105 children; girls aged 0-18 and boys aged 0-8 years old.

The 150-capacity centre provides shelter, food, water, healthcare, clothing, access to education, care and attention to young people who are unable to live with their families. We work alongside them to help ensure Malagasy children are not forced into, or to remain, without a home, and to help young people reunite with their families, where this is possible.

But the storm has damaged several parts of the centre.

The main girls’ dormitory (housing youngsters aged 13-18) had a large section of the centre of its roof punctured and badly damaged by hailstones. Along with and as a result of this damage, the dormitory also suffered significant flooding.

The centre’s library had its roof completely torn off, along with part of the wall and the whole ceiling; many household items and materials were destroyed (the library is also the residence of one of the centre’s teachers).

Damage was also done to the roof of the centre’s firewood store, and an electricity pylon, which centre staff had already asked the state’s electricity provider JIRAMA to move, was blown so it is now leaning dangerously, and there is no electricity in the building housing the youngest children.

Despite the damage, we are pleased to be able to assure all supporters that – in part because the worst of the storm hit during dinner time – no-one was hurt, and all children and staff at the centre are safe.

We will report more as the situation develops.