Orthodox families in southern Madagascar have received emergency humanitarian assistance as prolonged drought and crop failures continue to fuel severe food insecurity across the region.

The aid distribution took place on June 12–13 in the Southern Deanery of Madagascar, benefiting approximately 90 families from the Parish of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Belambo and the Parish of St. Barbara in the village of Tanamilihitse.

According to the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa, donations from Russia made it possible to purchase and distribute two tons of rice as well as cooking oil to families in need. The humanitarian effort was coordinated by Fr. Nikolai Ramarusun, dean of the Southern District.

Southern Madagascar has endured years of recurring drought, making it one of the country's regions most severely affected by climate-related challenges. Extended dry periods have dramatically reduced agricultural production, threatening the livelihoods of communities that depend heavily on subsistence farming.

In many areas, depleted soil and insufficient rainfall have left fields unable to produce adequate harvests, forcing families to cope with food shortages and seek alternative sources of income.

International humanitarian organizations estimate that around 1.6 million people in Madagascar are facing acute food insecurity in 2026, while more than 110,000 are experiencing emergency levels of hunger. Conditions remain particularly severe in the island's southern and southwestern regions, where rainfall during the most recent agricultural season was significantly below average.

Experts attribute the crisis to a combination of factors, including prolonged droughts, the effects of the El Niño climate phenomenon, destructive cyclones, soil degradation, and widespread poverty. According to United Nations assessments, roughly three-quarters of Madagascar's population lives below the poverty line, while most farmers rely almost entirely on rainfall and have limited access to irrigation systems.

Against this backdrop, assistance provided to Orthodox communities has become an important source of relief for local residents. For many families, the food supplies are expected to help meet basic nutritional needs during the critical weeks before the next harvest.

The Orthodox Church in Madagascar plays an active role not only in the spiritual life of local communities but also in social and humanitarian outreach. Parishes regularly organize charitable initiatives, support vulnerable families, assist schools, and provide aid to victims of natural disasters.

Church representatives noted that the recent humanitarian campaign was made possible through the solidarity and generosity of Orthodox faithful in both Russia and Madagascar, highlighting the growing cooperation between Orthodox communities across continents in responding to humanitarian needs.