On 23 May 2025, the ALBATROSS project team in Madagascar visited the Morondava Hub and met with several stakeholders and authorities to share with them the results of their work. The aim was to receive comments and recommendations from local people on how to align the activities to be conducted in this hub with local needs and views.

At the meeting, the ALBATROSS partners Christian Monja (OXFAM South Africa) and Michael Raharivelo (UNESCO) presented the two reports they have produced on the region where the Morondava Hub is located. One report covered the region’s vulnerability and exposure to meteorological hazards, while the other presented quantitative flood and drought scenarios based on the previous evaluation.

The meeting was attended by 26 participants, including key national and regional stakeholders such as the Menabe region’s Meteorological Service department, the focal point of the National Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Regional Directorate for Environmental and Sustainable Development, the Regional Directorate of Agriculture and Livestock, and the deputy mayor of Belo-sur-Mer, the municipality in which the Morondava Hub is located. Representatives from various NGOs, community-based organisations, and community leaders also attended the meeting.

The ALBATROSS partners were highly satisfied with the level of engagement and interaction at the meeting, as participants shared interesting questions, comments, recommendations and suggestions. “The reports compile information on the vulnerability of this geographical area, and the aim of the meeting was to receive input from local stakeholders to help realign the activities according to their views and recommendations”, stated Christian Monja, our partner at OXFAM South Africa.

During this visit, the ALBATROSS partners asked the deputy mayor of Belo-sur-Mer about the exact location they had in mind for implementing nature-based solutions, which will include mangrove rehabilitation interventions. The deputy mayor not only provided them with this location but also gave them the opportunity to visit the site and meet with community leaders. They were also able to set up the letter of interest for the community leaders to sign, indicating their acceptance of the implementation of nature-based solutions in this place.

The ALBATROSS nature-based solutions will be applied in Marofihitsy. Christian stressed that there was a general agreement on the implementation of the nature-based solutions from both the community leaders and the deputy mayor. This visit also allowed them to confirm the feasibility of implementing mangrove restoration initiatives in the selected location. The plan is to launch the project in early September, coinciding with the ALBATROSS General Assembly in Madagascar, which will include a visit to the site.

Pictures of the meeting with stakeholders
Photos of the field visit and the signature of the agreement for the implementation of the nature-based solutions in the area