On 29 and 30 July 2025, around 30 key representatives from humanitarian organisations, meteorological services, public institutions, and university partners from Start Network's FOREWARN programme gathered in Antsirabe, Madagascar with a common purpose: to reflect on the lessons learned from the last cyclone season and to strengthen preparedness for the next one.
The Forecast-based, Warning, Analysis, and Response Network (FOREWARN) brings together the right people to predict disasters and support humanitarians closest to an anticipated crisis.
The workshop, organised by Start Network with support from the Directorate General of Meteorology (DGM) and the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC), was not simply an exercise in feedback. It was a collaborative space to analyse what worked, identify areas for improvement and, above all, forging stronger early warning systems, built not by one institution alone, but through coordination, trust, and shared responsibility.
Unpredictable cyclones and responses under pressure
The 2024-2025 season was intense, with cyclones Dikeledi and Jude and tropical storms Elvis and Honde. On the ground, stakeholders had to navigate between changing forecasts and very tight deadlines for action.
During these two days, the discussions were rooted in the reality on the ground:
- The DGM provided accurate assessments of the season's forecasts, highlighting the difficulties in anticipating severe flooding that often occurs as a secondary impact of cyclones and tropical storms. However, lack of operational flood forecasting models, and limited network of hydrometric observation stations further constrains its ability to produce reliable flood forecasts.
- Start Network members Medair, Humanity & Inclusion, Action Against Hunger and Catholic Relief Service shared their experiences in the field responding to the impacts of Cyclone Jude through Start Fund Alert 927, and Cylone Honde through Start Fund Alert 920 with a clear message: forecasts must be easier for everyone to access and interpret, and communities themselves must have a stronger voice in planning for the storms that reshape their lives. In both Atsimo-Andrefana and Androy regions, members provided life-saving assistance including shelter support, WASH interventions, and food security and livelihoods activities, directly reaching affected communities.
What we learned - and what is changing
The workshop highlighted that anticipatory action still faces major challenges, including a very narrow window of opportunity and a lack of systematic evaluation of its effectiveness. However, notable progress has been observed, such as pre-positioning of inputs, participant selection in advance, early mobilisation of funding such as the National Reserve for Start Ready, and growing commitment from actors to act early.
Why this collaboration matters
Madagascar is among the countries most exposed to the impacts of climate change, with cyclones growing stronger and more unpredictable each year. Communities face rising floodwaters, damaged infrastructure, and disrupted livelihoods, making timely preparation and coordinated response more critical than ever. Start Network members are stepping in with innovative programmes such as Start Ready, which provides pre-positioned funding for rapid response, and Start Fund, which trigger immediate support for affected communities. Together, these initiatives help ensure that lessons from past storms translate into faster, more effective action when the next cyclone strikes.