Madagascar after Live Aid

Madagascar is a unique place – it is home to mammals, birds and plants that do not exist anywhere else. It is the fourth largest island in the world. Because of its location (off the coast of southern Africa) it is prone to tropical cyclones which cause devastating floods; 2000, 2004 & 2008  will be remembered for the massive cyclones that caused mass destruction.

Madagascar is one of the world’s poorest countries and suffers widespread chronic malnutrition as well as poor services. The political situation since 2009 has further worsened the lives of many Madagascans and undone many of the positive steps taken earlier in the decade.

Urban areas of Mozambique have increasingly become dangerous and unhealthy places to live as population growth remains high and people migrate from rural areas. Slums are a particular problem and a worrying number of children live in such circumstances or on the street. Nevertheless, between 1980 and 2012, Madagascar's life expectancy at birth has improved by 18.7 years.

Find out how you can sponsor a child in Madagascar… 

Time Line

• 1958 Madagascar votes in favour of autonomy.

• 1960 Madagascar becomes independent, Philibert Tsiranana becomes president.

• 1972 Due to popular unrest, Tsiranana dissolves the government and power is given to army chief Gen Gabriel Ramanantsoa who heads a provisional government.

• 1975 Lieutenant-Commander Didier Ratsiraka calls himself head of state after staging a coup, he is elected as president for a seven year term. The country is renamed the Democratic Republic of Madagascar.

  

  Children from the SOS Children's Village Antananarivo, Madagascar

• 1990 SOS Children starts working in Madagascar with the opening of Children’s Village Vontovorona (Antananarivo).
  

• 1992 – Due to demonstrations, Ratsiraka begins democratic reforms. A new constitution is approved by referendum. SOS Children expands the community at Vontovorona with the introduction of an SOS Nursery, Clinic and two Youth Houses in a nearby location.

• 1993 - Albert Zafy is elected president.

• 1995 SOS Children establish an Agricultural Training Centre at Vontovorona in order to provide skills and training for young people.

• 1996 - Zafy is impeached and Ratsiraka is voted back into office.

• 2000 Two cyclones touch down in Mozambique, leaving thousands homeless.

• 2001 Following the first round of presidential elections, opposition candidate Marc Ravalomanana claims an outright victory. SOS Children open a school in Vontovorona to help meet local demand.

• 2002 (February) Even though there is still deadlock between Ravalomanana and Ratsiraka over the presidency, the former declares himself president. The ensuing protests between rival supporters become violent.

• 2002 (April) The High Constitutional Court declares Ravalomanana the winner of the December polls after a recount. The US subsequently recognises Ravalomanana as the legitimate leader of Madagascar.

• 2002 (December) Ravalomanana's I Love Madagascar (TIM) party wins a parliamentary majority. It appears he has passed the first test of popular support.

• 2003 SOS opens a second Children’s Village in Antsirabe. A Nursery school and Medical Centre are added the following year.

  

  Children from Antsirabe, Madagascar

• 2004 Tropical cyclones Elita and Gafilo hit and thousands are left homeless.

• 2005 Madagascar becomes the first state to receive development aid from the US. This is due to what the US considers its positive moves in promoting democracy and market reforms.

• 2006 Ravalomanana wins the presidential election.

• 2007 (April) Voters in a referendum accept constitutional reforms to increase presidential powers and to make English an official language.

• 2007 (September) TIM wins a majority in early parliamentary elections.

• 2008 (Feb-March) Cyclone Ivan kills 93 and leaves 332,391 homeless. The UN responds with a flash appeal for $36.4 million to help.

• 2008 (March) The first barrels of crude oil for 60 years are produced coinciding with record oil prices.

• 2009 (February) Dozens are killed as police use live rounds at an opposition demonstration in the capital. Political turmoil continues.

• 2009 (March) Andry Rajoelina takes control of the country with military and high court backing. This is condemned internationally, leading to the isolation of Madagascar. 24,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS.
  

• 2010 The EU suspends development  to the country because of the lack of democratic progress. The maternal mortality rate stands at 240 deaths per 100,000 live births, 48th worst in the world. Drinking water source has improved for only 46% of the population; 54% remain without improved water sources. 

• 2012 Growth in GDP is weak, but is predicted to increase over the next two years as long as 2013's elections go ahead and the country becomes more stable.

• 2013 (January) Interim president Rajoelina and Ravalomanana decide not to contest elections in the summer. This is consistent with the plan of the regional mediators.

• 2013 (May)Andry Rajoelina announces that he will stand for the presidency, following the announcement that Ravalomanana's wife says she will stand. Rajoelina argues that her move broke the prior agreement not to contest the poll. The elections planned for 24 July are postponed after a special court rules that preparations for the poll are no longer valid or impartial. The infant mortality rate is 46.13 deaths per 1,000 live births, 47th worst in the world.