Peace Corps Madagascar Program Suspended
Due to ongoing security concerns in Madagascar, Peace Corps acting Director Jody K. Olsen has approved an evacuation and temporary suspension of the Peace Corps program in Madagascar. Peace Corps/Madagascar staff is now in the process of evacuating Volunteers. These actions were precipitated by the anti-government protests and looting that have been taking place on and off since late January, primarily in Antananarivo, and some regional cities. Peace Corps staff has been in daily communication with Volunteers, and all 112 Volunteers in Madagascar are accounted for and safe. Peace Corps staff in Madagascar continues to work closely with the U.S. Embassy to carefully monitor the situation, and appropriate actions have been taken under the Peace Corps/Madagascar Emergency Action Plan.
All Peace Corps Volunteers have been safely evacuated from Madagascar and are now in Johannesburg, South Africa, where they will take part in a transition conference. They will be offered the option to complete their service or explore other Peace Corps service options available to them. Volunteers in Madagascar were working in the areas of education, environmental and agricultural conservation, health and HIV/AIDS awareness, hygiene promotion, animal and wildlife preservation, and business development. Read more.
Caption: Madagascan soldiers separate supporters of opposition leader Andry Rajoelina and President Marc Ravalomanana in the capital Antananarivo February 14, 2009. Photo: Reuters/Carl Hocquart/Files
