Madagascar
Madagascar is an island situated just off the East-African coast. It is home to around 26 million people.
Although Madagascar is rich in fertile soil, the country is frequently hit by natural disasters such as cyclones, droughts and floods. These affect thousands of people who live off farming. Many are already struggling to make a living and feed their families.
Many people do not have access to basic sanitation facilities or clean drinking water, putting them at increased risk of contracting water-borne disease.
SOS Children’s Villages has been supporting children and young people without parental care, or at risk of losing, in Madagascar since 1986.
Villages in Madagascar
Children are at risk
Children and young people are among the most vulnerable groups in Madagascar. Almost 9 million children in the country live in poverty, especially in the rural areas. Many of them do not get the necessary quantity or kind of food that they need to grow into healthy adults. Furthermore, as families struggle to make a living, many children drop out of school, as they often need to work. Young girls tend to be particularly unprotected, as a considerable proportion of girls are married before the age of 18, which often marks the end of their formal education.
92%
Of Madagascans live in poverty
Widespread poverty
Madagascar has been facing social and economic challenges for years. The population is growing rapidly, while per capita income is stagnating and poverty is on the rise.
Around 92% of people in Madagascar live in poverty. As a direct result of the dire economic situation, many families do not have access to basic housing, sanitation facilities or clean drinking water.
2M
Children under 5 are not growing properly
Malnutrition
Malnutrition is a widespread problem in Madagascar, as inconsistent weather conditions destroy crops and many people living in poverty are unable to provide their families with plenty of nutritious food.
Around two million Malagasy children under the age of 5 are affected by malnutrition and are not growing healthily. This often has a permanent impact on their physical growth and intellectual development.
1 in 3
Children completes primary school
Access to education
Although the number of Malagasy children in education has increased over the past years, more than 900 000 do not go to school. Furthermore, only 1 in 3 children completes primary school, meaning that very few have minimum competencies in reading and maths. Many of these children do not attend school or drop out for economic reasons, because they have to work and contribute to the family income. Almost a quarter of children under 18 are working, often in exploitative and dangerous conditions.
Together we can make a difference for children in Madagascar
3,720
Adults and children
Are supported in the community
210
Children
Learn at our kindergarten
1,950
Medical service
Were possible
470
Children
Grow up in our care
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260
Young people
Are supported on their way to independence
