Madagascar

Mary’s Meals is serving more than 97,800 children in Madagascar

Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking 183 out of 193 countries and territories in the Human Development Index (HDI).

The country may be known for its vast jungles and unique species, but Madagascar is becoming increasingly more vulnerable to the threat and severity of climate disasters. Hunger levels are alarmingly high, many children are out of school, and only around half of the country’s children complete primary education. 

Our school feeding programme is implemented in partnership with Feedback Madagascar and Money for Madagascar (MfM), providing meals for more than 97,800 children in over 550 schools. We also work with a third partner, Grandir Dignement, to run a special feeding programme for several hundred children attending classes in a few detention centres and one specialised reintegration centre for children recently released from detention. Conditions in the detention centres are appalling and there is a constant threat of malnutrition for those being detained. There is no consistent provision of food, so this feeding programme is supporting children who are in extremely vulnerable positions with vital nourishment and a chance to learn.