UNESCO mobilizes support for education, media and culture in areas impacted by Cyclone Gezani in Madagascar

On 11 February, tropical cyclone Gezani struck Madagascar’s eastern coast, hitting hardest in the Atsinanana region and the port city of Tamatave (Toamasina), the country’s main economic hub. The cyclone caused extensive destruction, severely damaging schools and disrupting education.

Nearly 75% of the city of Toamasina has been destroyed. According to the Risk and Disaster Management Service of the Ministry of National Education, a total of 488 schools were impacted, with 2,435 classrooms damaged or destroyed. As a result, more than 100,000 students are currently unable to attend school. The Ministry of Communication and Culture also reported severe impacts on the media sector, noting that 67 journalists lost access to their working space and that essential reporting equipment was affected, while the Vavitiana Museum suffered significant structural damage.

In response, UNESCO activated several emergency funding mechanisms (more than $110,000)—supporting education, journalist safety, and the protection of cultural heritage—to assist the Government in its response.

This assistance will help assess damage to schools, collect critical information on affected institutions, and identify priority repairs in the hardest hit zones. It will also contribute to strengthening journalists’ safety and the resilience of local community radios, enabling the resumption of media activities and improving production of media content on preparedness for future natural disasters.

In the cultural sector, UNESCO is focusing on the protection and restoration of museum collections, the rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure, and the training of museum staff through its Heritage Emergency Fund.

UNESCO stands in full solidarity with the people of Madagascar. Our organization is mobilizing all available emergency mechanisms to help children return to school, support journalists, and safeguard cultural heritage. We are committed to working hand in hand with the authorities to ensure that learning, information, and culture, pillars of community resilience, can be rebuilt as quickly as possible. - Khaled El-EnanyUNESCO Director-General