The tropical cyclone made landfall on March 27 in the northeast of Madagascar, wreaking havoc in the regions of Analanjirofo, Diana, Atsinanana, and Sava.

Roger Charles Evina, IOM Chief of Mission in Madagascar, explained in a statement published on April 9 that "the cyclone exacerbates the hardships of populations already burdened by multiple crises."

"El Nino conditions resulted in erratic rainfalls in the past months, with populations in the Grand Sud bracing for a severe drought, while Tropical Storm Alvaro in January and excessive rainfall in February have resulted in major flooding in the north and southwestern regions, affecting close to 52,000 people."

The catastrophic weather conditions have affected several nations in Southern Africa, resulting in displacement and need for aid.

Over half million affected by cyclone

The UN agency said that it participated in a joint aerial assessment conducted on 30 March by humanitarian partners and the National Office for Risks and Disaster Management (BNGRC).

Initial reports indicate that over 535,000 people have been affected across 33 flooded communes, with 18 people killed and at least 22,000 persons displaced in Madagascar, IOM noted.

Close to 19,000 homes were flooded, as extensive damage was reported on roads and essential infrastructures, including 22 health centres and 135 schools.

More than 2,200 hectares of rice face the risk of being silted, jeopardising livelihoods of populations across the affected areas, the IOM statement explained.

Humanitarian partners on the ground are working in close coordination with national and local authorities in efforts to immediately aid 165,000 people with emergency assistance, including shelter, food, water and sanitation, health care, education and protection support, IOM said.

The government of Madagascar declared a national emergency in response to the tropical cyclone.

Madagascar susceptible to repeat disasters

The statement explained that the majority of displaced families who initially sought shelter across 87 evacuation centres are now temporarily hosted by relatives -- with a minority remaining in evacuation centres.

Most people affected by the cyclone are still in need of urgent assistance and in many cases are unable to return home.

Access to areas affected by the cyclone remains challenging, with relief provided chiefly by air or by sea, the IOM said, stressing that additional funding was urgently needed to sustain relief efforts with limited resources available.

The UN agency noted that Madagascar is highly exposed to natural disasters and ranks among the top 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change globally.

Over the past few years, the country has been confronted by a series of disasters arising from drought, floods and cyclones, leading to mass population displacement.