AMBALAVAO DISTRICT

The target villages are located in the Fokontany of Ambohimana, in the rural commune of Vohitsaoka, Ambalavao district, Haute Matsiatra region (ex-province of Fianarantsoa, in the SE of the country). They were indentified as being priority villages for water supplies by the local authorities, the commune advisors & the local development committee due to their high prevalence of diarrhoeal disease (including bilharzia) and large population.

Geography

Vohitsaoka (the main village of the Ambalavao district) is 55km southwest of Ambalavao, 15km along a secondary road off the main road RN7 (which runs from Antananarivo to Tulear). Vohitsaoka borders the Andringitra national park, with the entrance of the park 30km from Vohitsaoka centre. The principle economic activity of the population is agriculture (rice and cassava production) and cattle herding.

Demography

The commune's population is 13,243, divided into 8 Fokontany. There are 30 government primary schools and 3 private primary schools for a total of 3,149 pupils. There is also one secondary school in the main village of Vohitsaoka.

Health

In terms of healthcare, there are two health centres; the government health centre (CSBII) in Vohitsaoka and the private dispensary in Tsaranoro. High rates of bilharzia and other diarrhoeal diseases are prevalent. There is no electricity supply in the commune.