AMPANIHY, Madagascar, September 2, 2026 – National and local authorities, community leaders, women, youth, and residents of Ampanihy gathered today for the Peace Caravan. Over 250 participants are expected for this mobilization organized by the VOATSE project, “Climate Change, Peace and Security,” which includes a community march, participatory exchanges, and forum theater. This stage marks the tenth anniversary of the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) in Madagascar.
In the south of the country, water scarcity, forest degradation, and the effects of climate change weigh heavily on livelihoods. For children, the consequences are concrete: long distances to fetch water, interrupted schooling, and families forced to relocate.
“Peace and sustainable management of natural resources are closely linked. Through this initiative, we want to raise awareness about the challenges faced by communities, support local solutions, and encourage a dialogue that allows everyone to contribute to environmental preservation and the strengthening of social cohesion,” said Riadh Beji, coordinator of the VOATSE project.
The Peace Caravan, launched in Morondava on June 29-30, 2026, has already visited Morondava, Toamasina, Fénérive-Est, Antsiranana, Toliara, and Antsohihy. Ampanihy marks its seventh stop.
The VOATSE project, funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund with $3.5 million, is led by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD) in collaboration with the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (MEAH). It has been implemented jointly by UNICEF, UNESCO, and IOM since July 2025 for a duration of 36 months.
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-03 11:08:34 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.2424.mg/a-ampanihy-la-caravane-de-la-paix-rassemble-les-communautes-autour-de-leau-du-climat-et-de-la-cohesion-sociale/