Antananarivo, March 11 (NationPress) India has sent a significant humanitarian aid package to Madagascar, including 12 tonnes of medical supplies and 18 tonnes of disaster relief materials. This gesture comes in response to the extensive devastation inflicted by Tropical Cyclones Fytia and Gezani earlier this year, as reported by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The MEA shared this announcement on the platform X, emphasizing that India is unwavering in its support for the people of Madagascar during this challenging time.

“India stands in solidarity with the citizens of Madagascar. In light of the extensive damage caused by the recent tropical cyclones, we have dispatched humanitarian assistance to aid ongoing relief efforts,” the ministry stated.

An Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft was deployed to deliver the humanitarian supplies, which landed in Antananarivo carrying the crucial aid.

The consignment features life-saving medicines, surgical supplies, tents, water storage tanks, dignity kits, and ready-to-eat meals, all aimed at providing immediate help to communities devastated by the storms.

Earlier this year, Madagascar experienced significant destruction from Cyclone Fytia, which made landfall on January 31, leading to severe flooding in various regions.

Shortly after, in February, Cyclone Gezani struck, compounding the damage, resulting in casualties, and severely impacting the second-largest city in the country.

Tropical Cyclone Fytia made its entry on January 31, 2026, affecting the northern coast near Soalala in the Boeny Region as a Category 3 equivalent storm, categorized as an intense tropical cyclone.

Formed over the Mozambique Channel on January 28, the storm intensified while moving eastward, crossing the island before exiting into the Indian Ocean around February 1-2.

Following closely, Tropical Cyclone Gezani also classified as an Intense Tropical Cyclone, hit Madagascar in February 2026, just days after Fytia, marking it as the strongest storm during the 2025-26 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season.

In addition to aid for Madagascar, the MEA revealed that India has also extended support to Mozambique, where devastating floods affected several provinces.

The ministry affirmed its commitment to assisting Mozambique through a multi-dimensional humanitarian response for communities impacted by flooding in the central and southern regions.

As part of its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, India has dispatched 500 metric tonnes of rice as immediate food aid.

Alongside this, 10 metric tonnes of essential supplies, including tents, hygiene kits, and rehabilitation materials, have been sent, together with three tonnes of critical medicines via an Indian Navy vessel.

The MEA noted that previously, 86 metric tonnes of life-saving medicines had been delivered by sea as part of relief efforts.

“India is dedicated to providing comprehensive support—humanitarian, medical, and logistical—reaffirming its role as a reliable first responder and steadfast partner in the Indian Ocean Region and Africa,” the MEA declared.