3. - usaid

Overflow of Ikopa River on Tananarive
ricefields
Of' particular interest in this
disaster was the following
statement which appeared in a
World Council of Churches
report dated February 26, 1969,
"The human toll would have
been higher but for advance
weather warnings and enmergency
pmcaut ions.
Ch February 19 and 20, Cyclone
"Gillettett skirted the island
and Its accanpanying heavy
rainfall aggravated the
flood conditions in the
Mangoky River Basin.
ACTION TAKEN BY TNE GOVEXWENT OF' MALAGASY AND UXAL ORGANIZATIONS
Rice, canned milk, medicines, clothing and blankets were airlifted to
stricken areas. Followirig a fourcday inspection tour of the cyclone
disaster areas, President Tsiranana praised the courage of the local population
and called on the Malagasy papulation to contribute flu?& for the
disaster victims. Setting the example, President and Mrs. Tsiranana
donated $15,300. Various offocial and charitable organizations made cash
contributions for the benefit of the victims in the amount of $33,000 as
well as 4 tons of rice, 220 blankets and quantities of canned milk and
used clothing. The local FYench business camunity contributed roughly
$28,200 plus 2.7 tons of rice, 700 blankets, 250 kilogram of canned
milk, one ton each of corn and green bean seeds and three tons of chemical
fertilizer. Of the total cash contributions by the business camnmlty, the
Grands Moulins de Dakar accounted for a contribution of $21,161 and also
placed a cargo vessel at the disposal of the GOM for use in provisioning
stricken coastal areas.
The Malagasy Army and Police, mnch Air Force, Red Cross, Christian
Council of Madagascar and other local groups cooperated to bring emergency
aid to the victims.
The Minister of Agriculture made an official request for USG assistance
and a Catholic Relief Services representative rquested CRS/New York to
send medicines,
ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY THE U.
S. GOUBNMEBT
The American Ambassador exercised his disaster relief authority and made a
cash grant from the AID contingency fund to the Govemnt of Malagasy to
purchase food, The grant was made in local currency with an equivalent
vdLueof.e...e..e.e..e..mee..eeee.mee$6,048.