ObjectivesFund scope
Droughts are a major risk that affect southern Madagascar and other parts of the country. It is a recurring problem that has been exacerbated by droughts in 2020 and 2021 in the south and that have increased in frequency and intensity in north and east Madagascar. Because of how the situation is evolving, communities and institutions need operational tools and approaches that allow them better to prepare not only for droughts themselves, but to anticipate cascading effects on sectors and systems.
This Joint Programme contributes to reducing the vulnerability of populations living in Great South affected areas of Madagascar. Stakeholders work towards operationalizing a drought early warning system (EWS) and harmonized Anticipatory Actions approach—both based on achievements and lessons learned from initiatives across the region. By collaborating with and strengthening the operational capacities of the General Directorate of Meteorology, National GRC Office, and Prevention and Emergency Management Support Unit partners improve data collection, centralization and processing, which informs the development of frameworks and tools that lead to improved disaster risk preparation, management, and reduction in drought affected areas.
Multi-sector and complementarity, the "One UN" approach is woven into joint programme interventions in the Great South—positively augmenting impact and strengthening the resilience of local populations. By prioritizing data collection and evidence-driven interventions, and capitalizing on the comparative advantages of involved UN organizations, government, private sector stakeholders and local partners set the stage for piloting and scaling inclusive mechanisms for drought management.
Strategic framework and theory of change
Joint programme stakeholders work across seven areas on an effective early warning system that triggers anticipatory action and leads to the creation of critical tools for preparing and responding to droughts. Solutions are comprehensive in that they address the complexity of climate change related phenomena from the perspective local populations and institutions.
To better understand, anticipate and manage the nature of drought in the Great South partners centre the collection, sharing and analysis of data to inform the creation and financing of a robust EWS. Doing so assists authorities and partners in effectively anticipating droughts, reducing reliance on humanitarian/emergency measures, and creating a foundation for strengthening the resilience of communities in the Great South.
Currently, no central tool provides the early warning and the information necessary for rapid decision-making. In response, programme partners are setting up a central system around core actors to consider all systemic aspects of drought in the Great South to better anticipate them. Promoting ownership is vital for programmatic success. To reach targets stakeholders focus on:
- Capitalizing on existing mechanisms and initiatives.
- Setting up a simple, agile and inexpensive structure that can be easily managed by government authorities.
- Strengthening the technical and material capacities of authorities for optimal management of the tools put in place.
- Broadening consultations and participation of all primary players from the local level to the national level.
- Creating simple and understandable EWS alerts that can be differentiated according to variable.
Ramping up local involvement involves setting up a rapid dissemination EWS and associated contingency plans according type of milieu (national, regional local), needs (strategic or operational) and actors (population, institutions, partners and sectoral or thematic coordination mechanisms, private sector, etc.). Transmitting early warnings that initiate anticipatory measures calls for less bureaucracy and more simplicity and fluidity to avoid slowing down the dissemination of crucial information for disaster management.
> $55M 
$55M - $25M
$25M - $5M
< $5M
