Caritas Madagascar works through parish, provincial and community structures to provide support for disadvantaged groups. It is particularly involved in the aftermath of the natural disasters that afflict Madagascar – drought, cyclones and flooding – and is often the organisation best placed to reach the most remote areas.

Caritas Madagascar provides emergency assistance, post-emergency rehabilitation in the form of food aid, medical and hygiene kits, support for agricultural production and health programmes. It is also involved in agricultural development projects such as seed distribution to ensure that crops are planted at the appropriate times of the year.

To carry out its humanitarian and development projects, Caritas Madagascar works in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the World Bank, Water Aid, Coopération Suisse, Campagne contre la faim pour le développement, Catholic Relief Services and Caritas organizations in Europe and elsewhere.

The population of Madagascar is approximately 19 million, growing at a rate of 2.6 percent annually, of whom 61 percent live on less than US$1 per day and 85 percent live on less than US$2 per day. Only 50 percent of the people of Madagascar have access to safe drinking water.