Lowest temperature recorded in Vakinankaratra region of Madagascar
Date: 08/07/2024 05:00
In the early morning hours of Monday, the Vakinankaratra region in Madagascar experienced a minimum temperature of 1°C, as reported by Météo Madagascar. This sudden drop in temperature has raised concerns among residents and local authorities. It is important to note that this chilly weather is unusual for the region, which typically enjoys a warmer climate.
The sudden temperature drop can be attributed to various factors, including seasonal changes and atmospheric conditions. Experts from Météo Madagascar are closely monitoring the situation to understand the cause behind this unusual weather pattern and to provide further guidance to the public.
Residents are advised to take necessary precautions to stay warm and protect themselves from the cold, such as wearing layered clothing and ensuring proper heating arrangements in their homes. Local authorities are also working to provide necessary assistance to vulnerable individuals, including the elderly and homeless, who may be more susceptible to the harsh weather conditions.
As the situation develops, Météo Madagascar will continue to provide regular updates and recommendations to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents.
Army helicopter deployed for anti-locust campaign
Date: 08/07/2024 06:00
In an effort to intensify the fight against locusts, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has received support from the army, which has made one of its helicopters available for aerial operations. This collaboration aims to treat a total area of 6000 hectares over a period of 15 to 20 days. Approximately 6000 liters of pesticide will be utilized to eradicate the locusts, thanks to financial support from the DEFIS program.
The primary focus of this aerial campaign will be the Menabe and Amoron’i Mania regions, which have been severely affected by locust infestations. Despite ongoing ground-based operations by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock through the National Locust Control Center (FVM), locust swarms continue to pose a significant threat in various regions, including Menabe, Haute Matsiatra, Amoron’i Mania, Atsimo Andrefana, and Ihorombe.
The integration of aerial operations into the anti-locust campaign is expected to have a more significant impact on reducing locust populations and minimizing the damage caused to crops and vegetation. The use of helicopters allows for better coverage and access to remote areas that are challenging to reach by land.
The DEFIS program, which stands for Defense of Farms and Food Security, has played a crucial role in providing financial support and resources for the fight against locusts. It is a collaborative effort between various stakeholders, including the government, international organizations, and local communities.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, along with its partners, remains committed to implementing comprehensive measures to combat the locust infestation and protect the country’s agricultural resources. Continued efforts will be made to monitor the situation, conduct regular assessments, and take necessary actions to ensure the long-term success of the anti-locust campaign.
Further updates and progress reports will be provided as the operation continues.
POLITICS
The resignation of Prime Minister Christian Ntsay is expected this week, which will be marked by the official inauguration of the 163 newly elected members of parliament. The National Assembly will also hold a special session starting Tuesday, July 9, for the election of members of the permanent bureau of the lower chamber, as well as its President. It should be noted that the future Prime Minister will be proposed by the presidential coalition, which is the majority group in Tsimbazaza.
Date: 08/07/2024 07:00
BEPC CASE
Four individuals suspected of being involved in the leaking of BEPC exam subjects, three in Marovoay and one in Maintirano, have been arrested by the police. These individuals have been remanded in custody.
Date: 08/07/2024 08:00
ELIMINATION PHASE-CAN
The first two matches of the elimination phase of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will take place next September, between the 2nd and 10th. Madagascar will face Tunisia and Comoros. The 3rd and 4th matches will take place between October 7th and 15th. The Barea will play against the Gambian team during these matches. The 5th and 6th matches are scheduled between November 11th and 19th, 2024, with the return matches against Tunisia and Comoros.
Date: 08/07/2024 09:00
ELECTRICITY-JIRAMA
Jirama is forced to continue to save the available stock of fuel in order to avoid general power outages. Indeed, the ship carrying heavy fuel oil that supplies the thermal power plants, almost throughout Madagascar, is still at sea, explains the water and electricity company this Monday at the beginning of the week. Therefore, for the case of the Interconnected Network of Antananarivo, the rotating power cuts lasting for 2 hours will continue on this 8th of July 2024. Complaints are starting to rise among users who are experiencing outages that exceed the programmed and communicated delay by Jirama, in certain areas, such as Ampitatafika.
Date: 08/07/2024 10:00
REFORESTATION AND AFFORESTATION
As part of the African Initiative AFR100, Madagascar is committed to restoring 4 million hectares of degraded land and forests by 2030. As the government also aims to greenify Madagascar, annual reforestation objectives have increased, and a Reforestation Information System (SIR) has been implemented to enhance its quality, as indicated by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development. Madagascar is also implementing profound reforms to stimulate reforestation and afforestation while promoting land security through the Ministry of Decentralization and Territorial Planning and the MEDD. It should be noted that Madagascar has been invited by the Republic of Congo to the first Conference on Reforestation and Afforestation to share experiences with other countries and strengthen partnerships for greening activities. The Summit brought together 2,000 participants, including Heads of State and Government and various stakeholders from technical and financial partners, the private sector, civil society, and the research community.
Date: 08/07/2024 11:00
BUSINESSES-CHILD RIGHTS
Corporate Social Responsibility in Madagascar prioritizes four main social sectors that are essential for the well-being and development of children: education, health, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene, and nutrition. These are significant commitments made by businesses to improve children’s living conditions. According to a study on the impact of private sector activities on child rights, 60% of businesses in Madagascar allocate a budget for CSR ranging from 12 million to over 200 million Malagasy Ariary. This study, which is the first of its kind in the country, also reveals certain risks. These include generally good working conditions that don’t always allow parents to fully assume their roles. This is manifested, among other things, by demanding working hours combined with the absence of policies and infrastructure enabling mothers to breastfeed in the workplace. There are also risks specific to certain sectors, such as risks related to abuse and sexual exploitation in the tourism sector, risks related to sexual harassment and exploitation, as well as risks of exposure to inappropriate content in the ICT sector, and risks that can affect the health and safety of children living in communities where mining companies operate. UNICEF encourages businesses to mitigate the risks of their activities on children’s well-being and to use this study as a guide for assessing and improving their practices.
Date: 08/07/2024 12:00
BACCALAUREATE 2024
The interim Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research visited institutions that will serve as examination centers for the Baccalaureate in Manjakandriana. During this visit, he reiterated the objective of ensuring that this examination takes place smoothly and without incident. The condition of the infrastructure of the centers and examination rooms is an important factor for the successful conduct of the examination, he emphasized. As a reminder, the general baccalaureate examination and the first part of the technical and technological baccalaureate examination will take place from July 22nd to July 26th, 2024. Candidates for the technical and technological baccalaureate will continue from July 29th to August 1st, 2024 with the second part of the examination.
Date: 08/07/2024 13:00
POLIOMYELITIS VACCINATION
Last year, the 4 rounds of the campaign against poliomyelitis allowed the vaccination of 5,376,346 children aged 0-59 months, representing an administrative coverage of 99.8%. As for the last round, from May 14th to May 17th, 2024, 13,268,649 children under the age of 15 received the poliomyelitis vaccination. These results had a significant impact on this disease. Let’s remember that a second round of Supplementary Polio Vaccination Activities will take place from July 9th to July 12th, 2024. Like during previous campaigns, in addition to vaccination in public and private basic health centers, mobile teams will go door-to-door in all fokontany to vaccinate all children. These Supplementary Polio Vaccination Activities will be integrated into the catch-up campaign for Vitamin A Supplementation, for children aged 6 months to 59 months, who have not received their dose in the last 6 months.
Date: 07/08/2024 2:00 PM
AIR QUALITY
Météo Madagascar reports a degradation in the air quality in Antananarivo. The concentrations of fine particles are all 3 to 5 times above the threshold recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). For the next three days, the air quality could generally remain unhealthy for everyone, with predicted weather conditions remaining favorable for the accumulation of pollutants, according to forecasts. Météo Madagascar warns that individuals sensitive to air pollution may experience more serious health effects.
Date: 08/07/2024 15:00
WEIGHING STATION
The weighing station on national road #9, in Ampondrolava – Belalanda, will be operational starting from Monday, July 15th, according to the Ministry of Public Works. All freight vehicles with an empty weight or a total loaded weight of 3.5 tons or more, that use this road, will be required to undergo checks at this weighing station. According to the Ministry of Public Works, technical tests will be carried out on July 11th and 12th in preparation for the opening of this weighing station. While waiting for the publication of a Decree specifying penalties for overloading, the Ministry indicates that no penalties will be applied. However, offenders will be required to unload the excess weight on the spot. Please note that unloading, securing the goods, and transferring the load to another vehicle are entirely the responsibility of the carrier and the owners.
Date: 08/07/2024 16:00
LFR 2024
In an analysis of the Revised Finance Law (LFR) 2024, the Collective of Citizens and Citizen Organizations (CCOC) indicates that the significant changes made go against the new priorities of the General State Policy (PGE), which are human capital, industrialization, and good governance. The organization notes, among other things, a decrease in projected tax revenues of around 15.59% compared to the 2024 Initial Finance Law (LFI), justified by the weakness of tax revenue contributions; a downward revision of the budget by 22.8% affecting all ministries to the tune of 3,370.9 billion Ariary without an explanation for the budget cut; a decrease of 13.3% in internal own resources (RPI) affecting certain government agencies, such as the MTP (-50.6%), the MEAH (-50.2%), and the MEH (-46.7%); an increase in transfers to the energy sector, including Jirama, amounting to 1,032 billion Ar; and a concerning drop in allocations for the social sectors, amounting to a total budget cut of 1,100.6 billion Ar, while accessibility and quality of public social services are declining. Considering all these changes, the CCOC recommends the development of a budgeted national planning process that is inclusive and participatory; more transparency and accountability regarding the causes of budget cuts; as well as the publication of the state’s liabilities, including debts to Jirama, the amount of payment arrears to oil companies, those related to fuel price subsidies, and the situation regarding payment of road maintenance fees. The organization also calls for consultations and more in-depth analyses with social actors before adopting the Finance Law, and for the commitment of parliamentarians to dedicate sufficient time to budget bills, discussing them with relevant stakeholders, particularly citizens, to ensure a responsible and inclusive decision-making process.
Date: 08/07/2024 17:00
