Water for Life

The southwest region of Madagascar faces a severe lack of clean water, leading to significant health problems, economic hardship, and social challenges. This is primarily due to drought, poor sanitation, and limited access to safe water sources. The need for clean water in this region is urgent, as it impacts the health, livelihoods, and overall well-being of the population.

Children filling water containers

The Water Issues

  • Water Scarcity: The southern regions of Madagascar, including the southwest, are highly vulnerable to drought, leading to a scarcity of water resources.
  • Poor Sanitation: Poor sanitation systems in urban areas contribute to the contamination of groundwater, further exacerbating the problem of unsafe water.
  • Health Impacts: Lack of access to clean water leads to a high prevalence of waterborne diseases, including cholera, typhoid fever, and diarrheal illnesses, particularly affecting children.
  • Economic Impacts: Families may resort to negative coping mechanisms, such as discontinuing their children’s education to afford the cost of buying water at exorbitant prices during droughts.
  • Social Impacts: The lack of clean water also impacts hygiene practices and sanitation, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks and compromising public health.
  • Solutions: Initiatives like improving water infrastructure, providing water purification methods, and promoting water conservation practices are crucial for addressing the water crisis in the southwest region of Madagascar.

The southern regions of Madagascar have the country’s lowest water supply coverage and are highly vulnerable to drought. Access to potable drinking water is a major challenge for the local population. Chronic droughts lead to annual emergency appeals to save the lives of acute malnourished children. (Information provided by Google AI)

In this context, Friends of Madagascar Development’s goal is:

Clean water - Toby Betesda at Betroka
Clean water – Toby Betesda at Betroka
Clean water station - Toby Betesda at Betroka
Clean water – Toby Betesda at Betroka
Water tower at Toby Betesda at Betroka
Water tower – Toby Betesda at Betroka

To provide safe and abundant water to many villages in southwest Madagascar where 60% of the people do not have safe or abundant water for drinking and irrigation. (United Nations’ statistic). In late 2024 and early 2025, FOMD cooperated with the non-profit Madagascar Water Project to dig wells in the city of Betroka and Mananovy. In each of these locations, the wells have produced an abundant source of water. In each city, a solar pump has been installed to pump water to a tower. Then pipelines have been dug to supply water to schools, clinics, retreat centers, and water stations for public use. In addition, at several of the locations, bathrooms and shower facilities have also been installed as a result of the abundance of water supplied to their locations.

How can you help?

  • $3,334 gift will provide a well in a small village
  • $20,000 gift will provide a large water well and distribution project.
  • Gifts in any amount support the digging of wells throughout southwest Madagascar.
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Friends of Madagascar Development
WATER PROGRAM

The goal of Friends of Madagascar Development is to raise funds to support the programs needed to help provide the Malagasy people clean water so vital to life. 100% of your gift will go to the program. Nothing will be taken out of your gift for Friends of Madagascar Development administration.