Nina Droff, edited by Solène Delinger 06:11, February 05, 2022
After Reunion, tropical cyclone Batsirai continues its progression towards the island of Madagascar.
The UN was very concerned on Friday during a press briefing.
It predicts a "considerable" impact with some 600,000 people affected.
On the spot, how is the population preparing for the arrival of Batsirai?
After hitting Reunion Island, Cyclone Batsirai is heading straight for Madagascar.
During a press briefing on Friday, the UN said a huge impact was ahead, just days after damage from Ana, another tropical storm, hit the island.
"The United Nations and our humanitarian partners are stepping up their preparedness efforts in anticipation of Tropical Cyclone Batsirai which is expected to make landfall in Madagascar this weekend after passing through Mauritius," said Jens Laerke, a spokesman for the Office of coordination of humanitarian affairs.
Sandbags on the roofs
To deal with the damage caused by Cyclone Batsirai, the United Nations has mobilized rescue and search teams and is preparing stocks of supplies.
Airplanes are also available for early humanitarian responses.
Hasintoa Randria, a resident of the island, confides her concern to Europe 1. "We prepare by buying provisions and putting sandbags on the roofs", she explains.
"We are not leaving our homes at the moment. We are afraid. We have never seen a very strong cyclone like this, with gusts of wind. Here we are already poor and in difficulty".
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Resources already mobilized
Other organizations such as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are also on a war footing.
“Malagasy Red Cross teams and partners are on high alert and are deployed in communities to warn them of the approaching storm, while emergency stocks are moved to facilitate the storm. 'access", explained its secretary general Andoniaina Ratsimamanga.