The Sohihy Emergency Response Project is finished, and I can only feel good about the outcome. The Madagascar Water Project does not normally provide disaster relief and we were outside of our norm when we responded to the fire that destroyed the village. The Village of Sohihy was on our radar because we built two wells there last year. We learned of the fire through our network of Well Management Committees and saw no choice but to do all we could to help the Villagers.
Our response was immediate, and our base of Contributors responded in kind. Thank You!! The MWP provided emergency provisions of food and tools needed to rebuild the village. We also repaired our two water wells destroyed in the village.
I was most surprised by the reach of our network when other NGOs responded with aid that far-exceeded our own capabilities. Catholic Relief Services contributed provisions to help the Villagers rebuild their lives and followed it up by rebuilding the entire village with 121 new homes of the highest standard. Echoes of Madagascar responded with firm plans to build community toilet facilities and assist in other community development programs. The Madagascar Water Project drilled three new wells in the rebuilt village.
Each year is filled with new achievements and I can only look forward with anticipation at the new projects that lie ahead. Solo just finished another trip to the coast and the Phase VII Project is shaping up to a very successful and fulfilling endeavor. The plan will again nearly double the number of Beneficiaries, now going from 40,000 people to at least 75,000 people. Everyone is welcome and invited to participate. Stay tuned………….
Best Regards
Fred
Update April 19, 2019
Sohihy is well on its way to recovery. Our Call for Action was heard by many. The Madagascar Water Project responded with food, provisions and tools for rebuilding the village. We repaired the two wells in the village. Catholic Relief Services responded with emergency provisions and the supplies needed to begin rebuilding their lives.
Catholic Relief Services opened a project that rebuilt the village in a much improved design. They provided for the rebuilding of 122 homes which are designed to be resistant to cyclones that cross the area fairly frequently. The Madagascar Water Project drilled three wells in the new village and Echoes of Madagascar is in the process of building public toilet facilities.
This has been an incredible effort of coordinated work to help the village. The Madagascar Water Project is well-connected to Sohihy and we will keep track of the progress. Solo is currently on the coast and will bring back photos that we will post to this page. Stay tuned.....................and thanks for your support.
Best Regards
Fred
January 2019
Update: January 11, 2019
Today marks the eleventh day since the fire that destroyed most of the village of Sohihy. Solo has gone down to the village and has learned a lot.
Eighty five percent of the structures were destroyed in the new Years Eve Fire. One hundred ninty-nine were burned and about thirty remained. About 600 – 800 of the victims initially relocated to the school in the village of Ampanotoana. They received minimal provisions of rice and aid from local government agencies and relocated in and around the burned village a few days later.
The Madagascar Water Project made a call for help and the response was great. We quickly collected our goal of $1500 plus $500 more. Catholic Relief Services (CRS) saw our call and has responded generously. They are in the process of delivering school kits, kitchen kits and health & hygiene kits for most of the victims. A faith-based NGO, Echoes of Madagascar, plans to visit to assist with social, agricultural and other programs within the community.
Solo arrived in Sohihy on Monday. He brought 250 kg of rice, and 10 each of shovels, saws, hammers, hatchets and other building tools. He also brought rope, nails and other building materials and three tents we had in our inventory. The Madagascar Water Project repaired one well, MWP60, and drilled a new well in the interior part of the burned village.
The rice is being distributed equitably to the entire village by local committees. The village plan is in the process of being modified to increase spacing between homes to help reduce the impact of future fires. The tents have been put up for use as emergency housing.
Solo worked with local government officials and village elders to donate the building tools and materials to the community for use by everyone. Most of the wood and materials for construction are found in nearby woodlands and are free or can be purchased at a very low cost. In order to encourage reconstruction of the village, the MWP pledged to reimburse construction expenses of 40k ariary ($15) to the owners of the first 40 houses that are framed, floored and roofed.
This assistance equates to only 20% of the structures destroyed. If you would like to help someone rebuild their home for a modest cost of $15, the MWP would be very happy to expand our rebuilding aid program to 50, 60 or more homes. The impact this has on people is almost too great to describe.
Thanks everyone for your quick and generous response
Best Regards
Fred
Sohihy Photo Essay: Fire to Recovery
Call For Action
During the course of our work we build strong relationships with the communities and feel some shared responsibilities for their welfare. I sometimes think I have been desensitized to the extreme poverty I see in my work, but I never forget our bond of brotherhood we all share.
The Phase VI Program placed 34 wells in 19 new villages. Sohihy, a village of 1200 inhabitants along the shores of the Pangalana Channel benefited with two wells. On New Years Eve a fire swept through Sohihy and burned-down 90% of the structures in the village, destroying about 200 homes. Three people were injured and thankfully there were no fatalities. However, the foundation for a humanitarian crisis is clearly in sight.
Our pumps were also destroyed, and The Madagascar Water Project will visit Sohihy in a few days to make pump repairs and provide emergency assistance with food, clothing, and tents we use in our work. The MWP Crew will stay a few days to assist in cleanup and work with local officials to lend assistance. Aside from nearby villages, no outside assistance has come to their aid.
I would like to ask for contributions of any size to help with this effort. I have already sent funds to get the relief program mobilized. The more we collect in donations, the more aid we can provide and the larger the impact will be. Tax deductible contributions can be made directly or through the GoFundMe site. My goal for this effort is $1500. I plan to have Solo and the crew there this weekend.
Thanks in advance for your generosity. It genuinely makes a difference. The people of Sohihy clearly need a break; they have lost everything. The attached file shows some of the devastation.
Best Regards
Fred
April 2019