Norway’s Government has decided to offer NOK 7 million (USD 1 million) in support of reconstruction efforts after hurricane Gafilo, which hit Madagascar 7-8 March this year, Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik told a joint press conference with Malagasy President Marc Ravalomanana in Oslo today.

Around 774,000 people were affected by the hurricane, and there is urgent need for support for the restoration of schools, for water, sanitary and health efforts, and to restart agricultural activities in affected areas.

Norway’s contribution comes in addition to USD 30,000 already granted via the UN, for immediate relief efforts, when the hurricane’s damages were known.

To the editor.: For further information we refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs/the secretariat of the Minister of Development Cooperation: +47 22 24 39 11.