Cyclone Freddy aid reaches Madagascar

Key Points:

  • A grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief provided food for more than 150 families affected by the deadly storm.
  • Striking five countries over five weeks in February and March, the cyclone claimed more than 1,400 lives.
  • “I thank you for your love and care for us,” said recipient Bebe Georgette. “We received something for our physical hunger, but we also need that which will sustain our spiritual needs.”

Members of the first United Methodist church in Madagascar stepped up to be the hands and feet of Jesus for people devastated by Cyclone Freddy earlier this year.

Ricocheting across the Indian Ocean for five weeks, the tropical cyclone wreaked havoc on the island nation, as well as Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe, killing more than 1,400 people. 

“We brought foodstuffs to offer our brothers and sisters here in Andranomavo II, in the district of Mananjary, as a response to their suffering after Cyclone Freddy,” said Justin Rakotoarimanana, a member of Ambodifasika United Methodist Church in Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital. 

A mother of two stands by the remains of her home, which was destroyed by Cyclone Freddy in the Mananjary district of Madagascar. Photo by Justin Rakotoarimanana. 
A mother of two stands by the remains of her home, which was destroyed by Cyclone Freddy in the Mananjary district of Madagascar. Photo by Justin Rakotoarimanana.

The food was purchased through a grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief, which also awarded grants to provide emergency rations and hygiene supplies to nearby Mozambique and Malawi in response to Cyclone Freddy.

The Madagascar aid was distributed in Andranomavo, one of the poorest rural communities in the country, situated about 335 miles from Antananarivo. 

Poverty in the country is rampant, due in part to the isolation of the island of Madagascar from Africa to the west and Asia to the east.

Jean Aime Ratovohery, a lay pastor and the spiritual leader of Ambodifasika United Methodist Church, said the congregation went to work after the cyclone hit the area. 

“We heard the cry of God’s children and were moved to act. We contacted the government and local leaders,” he said. 

Nine volunteers from Ambodifasika United Methodist Church in Antananarivo, Madagascar, traveled more than 300 miles to distribute food to survivors of Cyclone Freddy in the remote village of Andranomavo in the Mananjary district. Photo by Andrianantenaina Herintsoa Jean Richard. 
Nine volunteers from Ambodifasika United Methodist Church in Antananarivo, Madagascar, traveled more than 300 miles to distribute food to survivors of Cyclone Freddy in the remote village of Andranomavo in the Mananjary district. Photo by Andrianantenaina Herintsoa Jean Richard.

More than 150 families were supported through the UMCOR aid, and the church worked with Boto Andre, the head of the village and the deputy mayor.

Bodo Abani Marielle (with red hat) receives foodstuff from Pastor Jean Aime Ratovohery of Ambodifasika United Methodist Church during a mission trip to Andranomavo, Madagascar. Church members distributed food to families affected by Cyclone Freddy, which devastated the region earlier this year. Photo by Justin Rakotoarimanana. 
Bodo Abani Marielle (with red hat) receives foodstuff from Pastor Jean Aime Ratovohery of Ambodifasika United Methodist Church during a mission trip to Andranomavo, Madagascar. Church members distributed food to families affected by Cyclone Freddy, which devastated the region earlier this year. Photo by Justin Rakotoarimanana.

“I had never heard of The United Methodist Church,” said Bodo Abani Marielle. “I am grateful to this church for providing us with rice, sugar, salt, corn flour and foodstuffs that will enable my family to have meals for about two months.”

United Methodism is relatively new to the East African country. Ambodifasika United Methodist Church began in 2018 and recently celebrated its first baptisms, Holy Communion and confirmations during a historic visit from Bishop Joaquina Filipe Nhanala of the Mozambique Episcopal Area in February.

“Although I never heard of The United Methodist Church (or) UMCOR, I thank you for your love and care for us,” said beneficiary Bebe Georgette. “We received something for our physical hunger, but we also need that which will sustain our spiritual needs.”

Respeito Chirrinze has worked as the Mozambique Episcopal Area disaster management coordinator for the past seven years. The program is supported by UMCOR.

“We are glad that the funding was granted and the implementation was successful,” said Chirrinze. “The data we are collecting after implementation are very good. Very shortly, we’ll submit to UMCOR the closing report of the solidarity grant to Madagascar.”

Nine volunteers from Ambofadisika United Methodist Church joined in the food distribution and shared their experiences.

How to help

Donations can be made to the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s International Disaster Response and Recovery through Advance #982450.

Pastor Ratovohery said he returned to Antananarivo with the sense that the mission has been fulfilled. “Of the 150 families (for whom) we provided food, we are certain that an average of 650 people are having meals every day for about two months.”

Church volunteer Rakotoarimanana agreed.

“Having been to Mananjary means a lot. I felt it complying with Paul’s teachings in Galatians 5:13, when he talks about helpers of one another by love.” 

The volunteers noted that  several people asked when a United Methodist church would be established in the region.

“I was motivated to go to Mananjary to help many vulnerable people,” said church member Ratinarisoa Clarisse. “I was born in a country with many needs. I know what it means to have nothing and suffer, especially when you have kids.” 

Clarisse is actively involved in church outreach, especially with women and children. 

Bebe Georgette said she is grateful for the aid provided by UMCOR and The United Methodist Church in Madagascar. “We received something for our physical hunger, but we also need that which will sustain our spiritual needs,” she said. Photo by Justin Rakotoarimanana. 
Bebe Georgette said she is grateful for the aid provided by UMCOR and The United Methodist Church in Madagascar. “We received something for our physical hunger, but we also need that which will sustain our spiritual needs,” she said. Photo by Justin Rakotoarimanana.

“Serving the needy is a call for me,” she said. “I thank UMCOR for granting us this opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus to so many in need.” 

Volunteer Rakotoarison Bernard, 71, responded positively to the call to help in Mananjary. 

“My age is not a hindrance,” he said. “God — and the love of God — is a great motivation for me. My going to Mananjary was applauded by my family and church members.”

Rakotoarivony Fiderana Salohy Esdras said going to assist the Cyclone Freddy survivors was a call from God that he could not resist. 

Esdras, one of the youngest volunteers, responded to Bishop Nhanala’s call during her visit in February.

“This was to me an opportunity to support those battered by (the) cyclone,” Esdras said. “We prayed time and again as we organized the trip and its logistics, and God responded to us positively.”

The southern Africa rainy season usually ranges from October to April. Since 2017, more than 15 cyclones have hit southern Africa. 

Sambo is Africa Lusophone correspondent for UM News. News media contact: Julie Dwyer at [email protected]. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free Daily or Weekly Digests.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Mission and Ministry
John Kodjo (standing), a member of Mapamboli United Methodist Church in Kinshasa, Congo, tries to salvage things from his flooded home. Torrential rains and flooding on April 5 damaged over 1,000 homes in the area and killed at least 33 people. Kodjo’s family fled on the roof of their home. Photo by the Rev. Fiston Okito, UM News.

Floods devastate United Methodists in Congo

Thousands have been displaced and two United Methodist churches have been damaged by flooding in Kinshasa, the country’s capital.
Bishops
Bishops Daniel Wandabula (at left in purple robe) and Emmanuel Sinzohagera welcome Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye and First Lady Angeline Ndayishimiye to the installation celebration at Ingoma Stadium in Gitega, Burundi, on March 29. More than 4,000 people gathered to celebrate Sinzohagera’s installation as a United Methodist bishop in the newly created East Africa Central Conference. He will lead the Burundi-Rwanda Episcopal Area and serve as the central conference’s president. Photo by Priscilla Muzerengwa, United Methodist Communications.

Burundi celebrates new bishop, episcopal area

United Methodists from Burundi and Rwanda united for the installation of the area’s first bishop and establishment of the East Africa Central Conference.
Mission and Ministry
Alice Samuel (second from left), Northern Nigeria Conference women’s coordinator, distributes food during an outreach event in Yapilo Village in the Chonge District of the Shongom Local Government Area of Gombe State on March 29. In addition to providing relief supplies and free medical services, the women preached the Gospel and led prayer sessions in the community. Photo by Ibrahim Babangida, UM News.

Women’s group in Nigeria offers free medical care

More than 100 people received health care, medicine, food and other supplies during a day of outreach in the Northern Nigeria Conference.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved