MAF flies in team to assess damage caused by Cyclone Gezani

15th February 2026

As per France 24, some 25,000 homes have been destroyed (credit: Antsa Randrianasolo)

In the wake of Cyclone Gezani, which destroyed Madagascar’s main port city of Toamasina on 10 February 2026, MAF flew in a team to assess the devastation. MAF’s Gino Antsa Randrianasolo reports…

On 12 February 2026, MAF pilot Patrick Keller took off from Mandritsara, northern Madagascar, bound for Toamasina – a city of 400,000 people – on the east coast.

Nearly 80% of Toamasina – Madagascar’s second largest city and main port – has been destroyed by Cyclone Gezani, which made landfall on 10 February 2026. The government declared a national state of emergency.

Nearly 80% of Toamasina City has been destroyed (credit: Gino Antsa Randrianasolo)

On board MAF’s plane, an emergency relief team were tasked with assessing damage to health centres and church buildings.

MAF’s swift flight of just under an hour, enabled the team to offer support to pastors and medical workers, and co-ordinate relief efforts based on their assessment.

Without MAF, it would have taken them up to six days by road to reach Toamasina from Mandritsara.

MAF flew in a team to assess damage to health facilities & churches (credit: Gino Antsa Randrianasolo)

MAF flies in team to assess damage (credit: Gino Antsa Randrianasolo)

‘Our house lost its roof’

Pastor Razafimanantsoa Tefinirina Aina Miarana of Ambolomadinika Baptist Church, who is being supported by the team, witnessed the devastation first hand:

‘The day of the cyclone was very tough. We put the children under the bed so that the ceiling would not fall on them. Our house lost its roof. That night was very hard for us as parents. We protected the kids from being too wet and from the ceiling falling on them. We did not sleep that night.

‘I witnessed the destruction of the church myself. I live near the church, so I saw the roof being torn off and sheets flying one by one. It was very painful to watch. The church was destroyed and much of what was inside was destroyed.’

Pastor Miarana, Ambolomadinika Baptist Church
– supported by team flown by MAF

Pastor Razafimanantsoa & family lost the roof of their house (credit: Gino Antsa Randrianasolo)

Pastor Miarana & family lost their roof (credit: Gino Antsa Randrianasolo)

Pastor Razafimanantsoa’s church in Ambolomadinika also lost its roof (credit: Gino Antsa Randrianasolo)

Pastor Miarana’s church also lost its roof (credit: Gino Antsa Randrianasolo)

Pastor Andrianarisoa Euphrese of Salazamay Baptist Church shares Pastor Miarana’s pain:

‘The cyclone was violent – the church was completely destroyed. Nothing remains, the building collapsed entirely.

‘Now we’re living in a small part of our house that didn’t fully collapse. That is the reality. All church members and the whole neighbourhood are also affected.’

Remains of a building in Salazamay District, Toamasina (credit: Gino Antsa Randrianasolo)

Gusts up to 167 miles per hour

When Cyclone Gezani ripped through Toamasina (also known as Tamatave) with gusts of up to 167 miles per hour, it claimed 59 lives, injured more than 800 people, and displaced over 16,400, according to Madagascar’s National Bureau for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC).

Over 420,000 people from Toamasina and surrounding areas have been affected. Around 25,000 homes have been destroyed, with 27,000 others flooded.

The city’s power dropped to 5% and water supplies were cut off.

Uprooted trees and ripped off rooftops are widespread. According to UNICEF, over 560 classrooms are without a roof.

Uprooted trees are a common sight across Toamasina (credit: Gino Antsa Randrianasolo)

‘Everything was broken’

Dr Faly Ravoahangy, President of Madagascar 3M Ministry, was part of the team flown in by MAF, together with Pastor Rasolofondrainibe Mamy from the Real Mission Movement, and Head Surgeon Dr Ted Watts from the Good News Hospital in Mandritsara.

Dr Ravoahangy describes the scene shortly after landing in Toamasina:

‘It was like an apocalyptic scene – like a post-war scene. Everything was torn down. Everything was broken. In the midst of that, we had the opportunity to visit four Baptist churches. We were able to see how much damage was done, not only to church buildings, but also houses of some of those families who are part of those churches.

‘What’s very encouraging to see though, is the resilience of people and their trust in God. To even observe some smiles in the midst of this situation as they’re able to gather again on Sunday with a roofless church, just to be together. Those smiles are priceless.’

Faly: ‘’Everything was ‘broken’ & ‘torn down’ (credit: Gino Antsa Randrianasolo)

Dr Ravoahangy: ‘’Everything was ‘broken’ & ‘torn down’ (credit: Gino Antsa Randrianasolo)

Dr Ravoahangy says the team couldn’t have supported those in need without MAF:

‘We were able to be on site quickly. That allowed us to pray with pastors and doctors, evaluate damage, and bring initial donations to those who needed it most.’

Severe damage to health facilities

Two of Toamasina’s hospitals and 21 health centres have been badly damaged.

Toamasina Hospital lost half its roof (credit: Gino Antsa Randrianasolo)

Metal roofing was torn off at Toamasina Hospital (credit: Gino Antsa Randrianasolo)

Metal roofing was torn off Toamasina Hospital (credit: Gino Antsa Randrianasolo)

The main hospital – Toamasina Hospital – had lost half its roof, and water was dripping through the ceilings. Only a few patients could be admitted due to severely disrupted electricity and water supplies.

Due to electricity cuts, some vaccine fridges are without power, spoiling lifesaving vaccines.

Due to roof damage, water covered some floors at Toamasina Hospital (credit: Gino Antsa Randrianasolo)

Due to roof damage, water covered floors at Toamasina Hospital (G.A. Randrianasolo)

At Bethany Hospital, surgical staff ran essential departments on a generator in order to perform four caesarean sections, all whilst managing storm damage to their own buildings.

Dr Ted Watts – Head Surgeon at Mandritsara’s Good News Hospital – was amazed how the beleaguered doctors carried on in spite of their circumstances:

‘It was hugely hard work for them, but it was encouraging to see their determination to keep providing care despite facing so much need themselves.’

Dr Ted Watts (L) is supporting Dr Fabrice (R) at Bethany Hospital (credit: Gino Antsa Randrianasolo)

Dr Ted Watts (L) is supporting Dr Fabrice (R) at Bethany Hospital (G.A.Randrianasolo)

Supporting medical staff in such a dire situation would have been so much more challenging without MAF, concludes Dr Watts:

‘It would have been a huge journey by road, but we were able to fly there with MAF in under an hour. This is a great blessing to us and we hope a great service to the people in Toamasina.’

Dr Ted Watts, Head Surgeon at Mandritsara’s Good News Hospital
– part of emergency relief team flown by MAF

MAF flies the team to Toamasina in under an hour avoiding a 6-day road trip (credit: G.A.Randrianasolo)

MAF flies team to Toamasina in under 1hr avoiding 6 days by road (G.A.Randrianasolo)

Madagascar’s government estimates damages of US$142 million (source: Al Jazeera).

It’s the second cyclone to have hit Madagascar this year. Just 10 days before Gezani made landfall, Cyclone Fytia slammed into the north-west of the country on 31 January 2026.

It could take years for Madagascar to recover from this double disaster. Please pray for the people of Toamasina at this time.

After 2 cyclones in a row, it could take years for Toamasina to recover (credit: Gino Antsa Randrianasolo)

After 2 cyclones in a row, it could take years for Toamasina to recover (G.A. Randrianasolo)