Save the Children in Madagascar
Save the Children established its presence in Madagascar in 2016, initially operating in the SAVA Region (North). Since then, Save the Children has expanded its operations and opened offices in key locations: SAVA (Andapa, Antalaha), Androy and Anosy regions (Ambovombe), Vatovavy (Mananjary), Atsinanana (Toamasina) and a coordination office in Antananarivo, in the capital.
With the financial support of a large range of institutional and private donors (such as UNICEF, Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Island Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund, European Union, Start Network, VOLVO, MAGNUM, SYMRISE, Cummins Foubdation Inc., McCormick…), the organization implements comprehensive and integrated programs across nutrition, health, education, child protection, and food security and livelihood, while responding to regional emergencies including cyclones in the northeast and southeast, and drought in the south.
Our approach combines system strengthening and local engagement with different stakeholders. We promote strong partnerships and support local communities and children's participation. As part of its commitment to localization, Save the Children is working with local partner organizations.
Save the Children's programmes in Madagascar are connected to Save the Children International’s country office in Nairobi, Kenya. Save the Children in Madagascar is represented by a Country Director based in Kenya and a Country Representative based in Madagascar. In-country, Save the Children counts more than 70 employees across the different field offices.
Josia, 13 years old, Roddy, 12 years old, Merla, 12 years old, Norossia,16, discuss ideas during a consultation on climate change. iAko Randrianarivelo/Save the Children
The Situation for Children in Madagascar
Madagascar faces profound challenges that significantly affect children’s well-being and future prospects. The country ranks 5th globally in multidimensional poverty, with 80.7% of the population living on less than $2.15 a day and around 75% of children, approximately 11 million, are experiencing multiple deprivations. Poverty is widespread even among working families, particularly in agriculture, where 90% of households are considered poor. With a very young population, 59% under the age of 25 and 40% under 15, these conditions place immense pressure on already limited resources and services.
Malnutrition remains a critical concern, with about 40% of children under five stunted, one of the highest rates in Africa, and more than half a million children were at risk of acute malnutrition between May 2025 and April 2026 in the Grand South and South-East regions. As a result, the under-five mortality rate remains high at 75 deaths per 1,000 live births, well above the African median rate of 55.
Despite these urgent needs, public investment in children is insufficient, with only 3.1% of GDP allocated to education, 3.6% to social protection, and just 0.10% of the national budget dedicated to child protection. Madagascar is also highly vulnerable to climate shocks and ranks as the 7th most exposed country to climate risks, with frequent droughts, floods, and cyclones further undermining livelihoods and food security.
Social challenges compound these issues: 2 out of 5 girls are married before the age of 18, placing Madagascar among the countries with the highest rates of child marriage globally, and one-third of women have experienced gender-based violence. Together, these overlapping challenges create a difficult environment for children to survive, develop, and thrive.
Our Impact for Children in 2025
In 2025, Save the Children together with its local partners directly reached 37,464 people, including 12,084 children across Madagascar, through integrated programmes across education, child protection, and climate resilience.
24,107
children and adults supported with protection programmes
5,032
children and adults supported with education programmes
1,749
children and adults supported with health and nutrition programmes
He participated in the climate change consultation, JMOFA2 project. iAko Randrianarivelo/Save the Children
GET IN TOUCH
NATIONAL OFFICE ADDRESS
Villa Brigitte Mac GUY
Ampasanimalo – 101
Antananarivo, Madagascar
EMAIL
madagascar.info@savethechildren.org
PHONE
+261 32 70 261 60
News & Stories
20 Jan 2026
Health workers in race against time as Madagascar rushes to contain new mpox outbreak
Madagascar confirmed its first documented outbreak of mpox on 30 December 2025, with cases progressively climbing over the past month to about 261 suspected cases and about 94 confirmed cases on 19 January, according to Ministry of Public Health. At this stage, 8 confirmed cases are involving children, and 84 suspected children’s cases have been reported, according to UNICEF.
12 Sep 2025
MADAGASCAR: Cases of child malnutrition jump by 50% as drought crisis worsens
The projected hunger figures include over 155,600 children projected to suffer from the most severe form of malnutrition that could lead to death if not treated, a massive 86% increase from previous forecasts.
11 Jan 2025
MORE THAN 22,500 CHILDREN BRACE FOR A DEVASTATING STORM AS TROPICAL CYCLONE DIKELEDI TO MAKE LANDFALL IN NORTHERN MADAGASCAR
Northern Madagascar is bracing for a deadly Tropical Storm as Save the Children prepares to support families and children impacted