There are two sides to the coin that is the country of Madagascar….
Madagascar has a population of 27 million and is the fourth largest island in the world, located on the east coast of Africa with miles of beautiful coastline, varied climates, luscious landscapes and thousands of endemic species. It is an increasingly popular destination for eco tourists due to its unique flora and fauna: 90% of its wildlife can only be found in Madagascar. Madagascar is famous for its different species of lemur that can only be found in this incredibly unique country. Original settlers came from Asia, and Africans settled later. This has led to a unique culture and ethnic heritage. Malagasy is the language, with French being the official language of business.
Despite its beauty and culturally rich heritage, Madagascar is one of the poorest country’s in the world. Rising inflation, unemployment and droughts have led to severe food instability for the majority of the population. 70% of the population life on less than $1 per day. Global warming has resulted in increasingly frequent droughts and cyclones which are further destabilising the country’s main source of food provision: agriculture. Families often attempt the hazardous long journey to the capital city in the hopes of finding a better life, but tragically end up being homeless. The struggling economy has been further constricted by the effects of lockdown during the Covid 19 pandemic. The rights of the child are under extreme threat due to these pressures. Poor families struggling with crippling poverty often feel they have no choice but to relinquish their children to one of the 80+ childcare centres the capital city. Many children live on the street, and even more are at risk of trafficking, abuse and neglect. There are currently over 10,000 children growing up in the capital city’s overcrowded orphanages. Over 80% have at least one living parent and all of them have birth family in Madagascar.
