Madagascar is prone to natural disasters, including endemic drought, flooding and recurrent cyclones, regularly causing damage to local communities and setbacks to economic growth. The humanitarian implications of these various natural disasters are particularly significant, since Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking 143 out of 177 countries on the Human Development Index in 2006. Seasonal food insecurity is not uncommon; however as the lean season coincides with the cyclone season (December-April), seasonal food insecurity is often aggravated by the effects of natural disasters such as cyclones and floods. Moreover, coping strategies among vulnerable populations are limited.