I have spoken to my son Nathan again, Philippe and Sophie as well as all the staff at Soanambo Hotel are fine, I asked Nathan if he knew Eric the taxi driver, it came back a yes, he has informed me that they are all fine too, as mentioned previously there are deaths reported on St Marie but the totals are unknow, considering that 80% of the island is destroyed it is a miricle that so few have died. Communication is still difficult, a cellphone tower has been worked on, thank goodness, but reception is limited to a very small area so I only try and phone when i get an sms from St Marie, then I know I will get hold of them, I am not sure if the land lines have been fixed as yet. I have been very frustrated sitting in South Africa as the news is very limited and not able to read Malagasy or french I am unabe to keep updated on the internet. The international press can only report what is being feed to them by the Government. The last report regarding Cyclone Ivan sadly 26 Deaths have been confirmed only 2 due to the cyclone the rest due to flooding. I believe the Malagasy Government will be asking for international assistance soon.

regards Jacqui

It is a blessing to hear that most of your beloved ones are all in a safe place.
We hope that more relieving news are soon to come for everyone.
The magnitude of the violence of the cyclone certainly took us all by surprise.

I am in contact with my Husband, Son and Dad on St Marie. Communiction is still limited. I also know Philippe and Sophie, I was informed on Wednesday that stranded tourist were taken to Soanambo Hotel, so I am sure they are fine. To be honest there are deaths reported however not as yet confirmed and mostly from the north, I will be contacting them again today and will ask about the people you mentioned in your email, please bere with me it might take a day or two to find out if Eric and his family are fine. My thoughts and prayers are with you

I’ve been trying to reach very good friends of mine on St Marie these past few days but I couldn’t reach them.
Even though there are no reported casualties on St Marie, I’m really worried.
If anyone has got news from the staff at Soanambo Hotel (Philippe and Sophie the managers and all the staff), please let me know.
And also Eric the taximan, his wife Emeline and their daughter Alicia… they live in Vohilava, just behind Soanambo hotel. They’re my best friends over there in St Marie… I was at their wedding 3 months ago and now I can’t seem to reach them…

We are so glad that your family is safe and sound. Communicating with Sainte-Marie has shown to be very difficult, if not impossible.
We are grateful for your offering to relay messages to relatives of people who might still be stranded.
more info are also available here:
http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2008/02/20/madagascar-after-the-storm-ivan-the-aftermath/

We were able to put our loved ones names on a list started by hoveraid, Nathan was able to contact my husband who has been stranded in Tana since Saturday, with my father,(from South Africa)late yesterday afternoon, but I needed to hear my childs voice for myself, it would take another 24 hours before I got to speak to him….I can sleep well tonight, My husband, child and father are together. I have spoken to my child (he, Dirk, Gareth and Hannetjie)are all fine, I pray your loved ones are returned to you safely, In an act of God Like this we are all equal.

If your loved ones are on St Marie please let me have their names and where they were staying (hotel) so that I can ask my husband to alert the police on the island, KEEP PRAYING AND HOPING, my thoughts and prayers are with you.