Strengthening Flood Resilience in Deprived Urban Areas of Antananarivo, Madagascar

Implementing Partner: Build Change

Project name: Strengthening Flood Resilience in Deprived Urban Areas of Antananarivo, Madagascar

This project combines urban science, flood risk management, and social equity to support vulnerable communities in Antananarivo’s flood-prone areas.

In many Global South cities, rapid urbanization and weak governance exacerbate flood risks, while poverty limits access to clean water, sanitation, and safe housing.

By developing inclusive, context-specific strategies, the project seeks to strengthen resilience, address systemic challenges, and improve living conditions for those most affected by urban flooding.

Loss from floods
in Madagascar each
year
$ 0 mn
Loss suffered by
Buildings each year
due to disasters
$ 0

Impact and Key Findings

1

The study revealed diverse community perspectives, providing valuable insights into local social and environmental dynamics. These findings are crucial for equitable, context-specific flood resilience strategies that address the unique challenges in urban areas like Antananarivo.

2

Project findings guide inclusive urban transformation by aligning infrastructure upgrades with the diverse needs of vulnerable communities. This approach strengthens climate resilience and promotes social equity, ensuring sustainable development in flood-prone urban areas while addressing systemic challenges.

3

Prioritizing active community participation in planning and decision-making fosters a sense of ownership, ensures solutions are locally relevant, and enhances long-term resilience to urban flooding and climate challenges, creating more sustainable and adaptive urban environments.

Resources

Aishwarya Pillai

Lead Specialist

Alpana heads institutional partnerships, governance, and resource mobilization at CDRI, advancing cross-sector collaborations that drive resilient infrastructure programming across Member Countries and organizations. With over 25 years of experience spanning international development, global health, and the non-profit sector, she brings deep expertise in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and delivering strategic change. 

At CDRI, Alpana has been pivotal in forging strategic alliances with governments, international organizations, and philanthropies. She also plays a key role in fortifying institutional systems and board governance mechanisms as the Coalition transitions into an international organization. 

Before joining CDRI, Alpana held senior leadership roles at The George Institute for Global Health, Plan India, WaterAid India, and SOS Children’s Villages, leading institutional fundraising and cultivating strategic partnerships for social impact. 

She holds a Master’s in Finance & Control from Aligarh Muslim University and completed Executive Education at Harvard Business School (CSR India). Her work is driven by a commitment to building enduring, values-based partnerships that accelerate sustainable development outcomes. 

Alpana Saha

Director, Partnerships, Governance, and Resource Mobilisation 

Alpana heads institutional partnerships, governance, and resource mobilization at CDRI, advancing cross-sector collaborations that drive resilient infrastructure programming across Member Countries and organizations. With over 25 years of experience spanning international development, global health, and the non-profit sector, she brings deep expertise in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and delivering strategic change. 

At CDRI, Alpana has been pivotal in forging strategic alliances with governments, international organizations, and philanthropies. She also plays a key role in fortifying institutional systems and board governance mechanisms as the Coalition transitions into an international organization. 

Before joining CDRI, Alpana held senior leadership roles at The George Institute for Global Health, Plan India, WaterAid India, and SOS Children’s Villages, leading institutional fundraising and cultivating strategic partnerships for social impact. 

She holds a Master’s in Finance & Control from Aligarh Muslim University and completed Executive Education at Harvard Business School (CSR India). Her work is driven by a commitment to building enduring, values-based partnerships that accelerate sustainable development outcomes.