The Malagasy government declared a national disaster after cyclone Gezani wreaked havoc, resulting in 38 confirmed fatalities and over 260,000 affected individuals. Tamatave, the eastern port city, has suffered severe damage with approximately 75% of its infrastructure destroyed. Efforts are underway by NGOs to coordinate emergency relief in an area that has turned into a landscape of devastation.

Urgent needs have escalated in Tamatave as residents grapple with the immediate consequences of the cyclone. Frédéric Garcia, the general coordinator for Médecins du Monde France in Madagascar, highlighted a critical logistical situation: the city is without electricity and healthcare facilities are non-existent, posing grave risks to survivors. The population's primary needs include shelter, and although relief efforts have managed to deliver a truckload of medicines, the challenges remain daunting.

The aftermath of cyclone Gezani points to not only the immediate need for humanitarian assistance but also raises concerns about long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts in Madagascar. The scale of destruction in Tamatave calls for comprehensive support from the international community to address food security, health care, and rebuilding infrastructure, particularly as the region prepares to cope with the potential for further disasters in the future.