UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations and its partners are providing aid to people affected by two deadly cyclones in Madagascar, UN humanitarians said Tuesday.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) cited government figures showing that at least 52 people were killed, over 800 others injured, and nine remain missing after Tropical Cyclone Gezani made landfall on Feb. 10 on Madagascar's eastern coast.
Earlier, Tropical Cyclone Fytia made landfall on Jan. 31.
Preliminary reports indicate that over 470,000 people have been affected by Cyclone Gezani and more than 35,000 have been displaced, including 3,200 people sheltering in 19 temporary sites, OCHA said.
"The UN and its partners are providing lifesaving food, water and sanitation, health care, protection, nutrition and shelter, among other essential services," OCHA said, adding that humanitarian partners estimate that 49 million U.S. dollars is urgently required to support 382,000 people over the next two and a half months.
The office said the target amount is part of the Malagasy government's Feb. 14 appeal for 142 million dollars to address urgent humanitarian, recovery and reconstruction needs.
"In a positive forecast, Cyclone Gezani is expected to gradually weaken over the coming days," the office added.
The UN Children's Fund said at least 6,000 of the displaced by Gezani are children and nearly 29,000 are unable to attend school.
The fund said it is working with the government to restore services as quickly as possible to reduce further risks for children in the weeks ahead. ■