New satellite-based analysis by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) shows that twin cyclones that struck Madagascar in early February hit hardest in communities already struggling to meet basic needs, deepening vulnerability and putting recovery at risk.
Cyclone Fytia hit the west coast between 31 January and 1 February, followed by Cyclone Gezani, which made landfall near Toamasina on 10 February. The back-to-back storms caused widespread flooding and destruction to homes, farmland and infrastructure.
UNDP's newly released geospatial assessment reveals the scale and concentration of impact. Floodwaters reached areas home to up to 350,000 people, of whom as many as 63 percent were already living without reliable access to essential services and adequate living conditions before the storms struck.
By combining satellite imagery with socioeconomic data, the analysis pinpoints where flood damage overlaps with pre-existing poverty, helping identify priority areas for recovery support.
"For families who were already living day to day, these floods are a breaking point," said Dr. Edward A. Christow, UNDP Resident Representative in Madagascar. "We can see clearly where homes, crops and incomes have been washed away in communities that had the least to begin with. Acting quickly in these hardest-hit areas is critical to help people rebuild their livelihoods and regain stability."
Agricultural losses are particularly severe in a country where nearly eight out of ten households depend fully or partially on farming for income and food. Satellite data indicate that up to 174,100 hectares of cropland were flooded. In several eastern communes, more than 80 percent of cropland was affected, threatening food supplies and local markets.
"The crops are damaged and yields will be low. We are truly afraid of famine this year. We still have some of last year's harvest to sell, but once those reserves are depleted, we will be in dire straits," said Mrs. Lala, a mother of six children in Antetezambaro.
Across the affected regions, dozens of communes face high early recovery and agricultural recovery needs. Without swift action to restore irrigation, clear debris, repair roads and support small farmers and businesses, the crisis risks deepening food insecurity and prolonging displacement.
"I make a living from selling milk work. But without electricity, I can't run my refrigerator to store the milk. Before the cyclone, I sold up to 150 litres of milk a day. Now, I only sell 20 litres," said Volamanana Clarisse, another mother in Antetezambaro.
UNDP is working with national and local authorities to guide recovery planning, combining satellite data with field verification to prioritize assistance where it is needed most and support communities recover quickly and with dignity.
