Update on the Gezani disaster


​Cyclone Gezani struck Madagascar's east coast on February 10, 2026, causing widespread devastation in Toamasina and surrounding areas, with the death toll rising to at least 38 as of February 14. The storm, the second in recent weeks after Cyclone Fytia, displaced over 250,000 people and damaged up to 80% of Toamasina's infrastructure, prompting urgent international aid appeals. 


Impact in Madagascar

- Casualties and Displacement: Reports confirm 38 deaths, 374 injuries, and at least 12,000 displaced, with over 18,000 homes destroyed and 50,000 damaged; earlier figures ranged from 20 to 36 deaths.


- Damage in Toamasina: Winds up to 250 km/h demolished 75-80% of the city, including homes, roads, power grids, hospitals, schools, and WFP facilities; electricity is at 5%, water is scarce, and debris blocks access. 


- Atsinanana Region: Extensive destruction, with 90% of roofs blown off and ongoing assessments. 


Humanitarian Response

Madagascar's leader, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, visited Toamasina and called for global aid, stating the crisis exceeds national capacity. 


- UN and NGOs: WFP reports 400,000 in acute need; Action Against Hunger describes "total chaos." 


- International Aid: Switzerland deployed 8 experts for water/sanitation on February 14, plus equipment for 10,000 people and up to CHF 1 million.


Future Risks

Gezani weakened to a tropical storm but may intensify in the Mozambique Channel, potentially hitting southern Mozambique (Sofala, Gaza, Inhambane) from February 12-15, affecting over 1 million amid existing floods displacing 392,000. 

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