Port Call in Madagascar: Delivering Relief Supplies Following Cyclone Impacts

A powerful cyclone struck the island nation of Madagascar in Southeast Africa, causing widespread and catastrophic damage across the region. On March 9, 2026 - approximately one month after the disaster - Peace Boat's 122nd Global Voyage made a port call in Toamasina, a port city that was particularly hard-hit, to deliver emergency relief supplies to local hospitals.

A Cyclone That Caused Immense Destruction

Cyclone "Gezani" struck Madagascar on February 10 and 11, 2026, and with maximum wind speeds reaching approximately 180 km/h, the exceptionally strong storm crossed the main island from east to west, leaving devastating destruction in its wake.

According to reports from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as of February 16, the cyclone claimed 59 lives and affected a total of approximately 420,000 people. The damage is especially severe around Toamasina, Madagascar's second-largest city. The Madagascar National Office of Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) reports that up to 90% of housing and infrastructure in some areas were damaged, with approximately 11,000 homes flooded and over 54,000 collapsed.

Madagascar had already suffered immense damage from several consecutive cyclones between 2023 and 2025. Furthermore, just ten days before "Gezani," another cyclone made landfall on January 31, 2026, affecting about 200,000 people and forcing more than 30,000 to evacuate.

Because this latest cyclone hit before the country could recover from previous disasters, the situation remains critical, with risks of infectious diseases, disruption of access to medical care and education, and food shortages. President Andry Rajoelina emphasized the need for international aid, stating, "The current situation exceeds Madagascar's capacity to respond alone."

Peace Boat Port Call in Madagascar with Relief Supplies

Photo: A certificate of receipt was presented by the Governor of Atsinanana Province (center) in front of the relief supply boxes.

Peace Boat visited the heavily damaged city of Toamasina on March 9 to 10, 2026, just one month after Cyclone Gezani made landfall. While this visit was scheduled in advance, the decision to proceed was made after close coordination with local authorities. Despite the ongoing recovery efforts, we were welcomed with the message: "It is precisely at a time like this that we want you to come and revitalize our economy."

Simultaneously, Peace Boat prepared emergency relief items from its onboard stores, including blankets and bed sheets. On the day of the port call, Jean Jugus Razafiarison, Governor of Atsinanana Province (where Toamasina is located), and Member of Parliament Roland Ratsiraka visited the ship for an official handover ceremony of the relief supplies.

These items will be delivered through the BNGRC to public hospitals and facilities where they are most needed.

[Breakdown of Relief Supplies]

Blankets
- Single: 284
- Double: 11

Bed Mats: 30

Duvet Covers
- Single: 135
- Double: 30

Bed Sheets
- Single: 245
- Double: 5

In Toamasina, we caught glimpses of the cyclone’s severity: buildings with torn-off roofs or in states of collapse, and piles of debris left behind. Despite these circumstances, Peace Boat participants were able to join cultural exchange tours and visit local shops, sharing warm moments of connection with the community.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the local community and authorities who welcomed us so graciously despite being in the midst of recovery efforts. We sincerely hope these relief supplies provide some measure of support and that a safe and secure daily life returns to the affected people as soon as possible.