MARK HYMAN

Fourth-largest of the world’s islands, Madagascar is prone to cyclones and tropical storms during the rainy season, particularly from January to April.

This year a severe weather system hit the southwest coast on February 22, leaving over 23 000 people in dire need of food and shelter.

RIGHT: An e’Pap bag on it’s way to Madagascar

Israel’s Ambassador to Madagascar Yoram Elron, conveyed the island’s official request for humanitarian assistance to the head of Mashav, Ambassador Gil Haskel.

Enter MDA-SA

It was decided that the most effective aid would be provision of concentrated food able to sustain people for several days.

Mashav then collaborated with Magen David Adom South Africa, the Israeli Medical Emergency Service in South Africa (MDA-SA) and their chairman Mark Hyman and arranged the purchase of bales of e’Pap.

LEFT: Part of the three tons of e’Pap paid for by Israel and destined for Mauritius

The fortified precooked food is formulated to restore optimum micronutrient status and fight malnutrition.

A shipment of over 100 000 food portions (three tons in all) of e’Pap was shipped to Madagascar from South Africa this month .

On arrival, it was transferred to the local Red Cross for distribution to the most affected communities

CLICK HERE to read some of the 99 other MDA content items on this website

.