Durrell has launched an emergency appeal after the conservation trust’s community rangers, partners and their families were impacted by two powerful cyclones that struck Madagascar just ten days apart.

The cyclones – Fytia and Gezani – devastated rural communities, destroyed homes and cut off remote villages from food and vital supplies in Madagascar.

The communities hit hardest include those around Baly Bay and Lake Alaotra Protected Areas – home to two of Durrell’s conservation programmes.

In both areas, families have lost their homes, crops have been washed away, and widespread flooding has left thousands of people displaced. Remote fishing communities have lost their boats and fishing gear.

A spokesperson from Durrell said that the scale of the humanitarian crisis is “overwhelming” and the national authorities are “struggling to cope”.

We have worked alongside these families for decades and without them our efforts to protect precious wildlife and habitats would not succeed

Eleanor Harvie, Durrell field programmes manager

The charity has launched an emergency appeal to help families get back on their feet and ensure conservation teams can continue protecting the critically endangered ploughshare tortoise and Alaotran gentle lemur.

Durrell field programmes manager Eleanor Harvie said: “These communities are the backbone of our conservation work. We have worked alongside these families for decades and without them, our efforts to protect precious wildlife and habitats would not succeed. 

“We are urging anyone that is able to help, to please consider supporting our emergency appeal. Every gift will truly make a huge difference to families who have been left with nothing.”

Initial emergency assistance has been delivered with support from Jersey Overseas Aid, but many families have yet to receive help because these areas are so remote.

The Durrell team in Madagascar is working to provide urgent support – including nutritious emergency food to prevent hunger, safe drinking water and hygiene supplies, household items for displaced families, materials to rebuild homes, schools and health centres, and equipment to rebuild facilities to care for baby ploughshare tortoises. 

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Durrell has assessed the immediate need to raise £52,250 to support these efforts.

A donation such as £25 could provide emergency rice, beans and oil for three families, whilst £75 could supply materials to repair a damaged home.

Islanders can read more about the emergency appeal and make a donation online.