Resettling Communities
To facilitate Construction, Ambatovy had to resettle villagers living in the vicinity of the Tailings and Plant
Site to appropriate, nearby parcels of land. This was done in strict adherence to the Equator Principles,
the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation Performance Standards, and guidelines set
by Madagascar’s national regulatory body. Ambatovy worked for many years in collaboration with local
stakeholders to gain their trust and acceptance for this process.
Between 2007 and 2008, two Resettlement Villages were established: Vohitrambato and Marovato.
Ambatovy built 296 new houses in these villages. Villagers were able to select their preferred housing
model and each household received a parcel of land for agriculture and grazing. One hundred and
fifty hectares of flat, arable land were also provided for rice production. An additional 47 hectares was
allocated and prepared for vegetable gardens and fruit trees.
With the resettlement phase completed in 2008, Ambatovy has since been active in these villages
implementing a comprehensive social development plan. This plan was established using participatory
processes, aimed at sustainably improving the quality of local life. The new villages are growing and
progressing well – newlyweds are building new homes, fields are being cultivated, and schools are active –
adding to the growth and dynamism of these communities.
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Food security and agricultural improvement:
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Ambatovy offers agricultural extension services, tools, and seeds as a way of improving livelihoods, which are
traditionally based on agriculture.
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Ambatovy’s programs follow a diversified approach to agriculture, working with villagers to implement short-
cycle subsistence crops, market gardening, perennial crops, and forest production.
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Ambatovy has already seen the benefits of the agricultural extension program. By 2010, Ambatovy was no
longer providing the villages with the majority of inputs. There has been a marked increase in agricultural
production and domestic composting for fertilizer.
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To complement agricultural activities, Ambatovy is working with a local non-governmental organization to
improve village nutrition. Cooking demonstrations and nutritional education are given to adults and local fifth-
grade students, who are often responsible for cooking while their parents are at work.
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Community healthcare:
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A community health center was built in Vohitrambato. It is fully functional with a doctor and midwife.
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In May 2010, Ambatovy financed a mass dental campaign that brought specialists from Toamasina’s
University Hospital to the villages. In addition to dental work, these specialists conducted a dental hygiene
awareness campaign with school children and distributed toothbrushes.
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Twenty-nine residents have become volunteer health promoters, thanks to training provided by Ambatovy.
They now educate community members on common illnesses, reproductive health, general hygiene, HIV/
AIDS prevention, and routine vaccinations.
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By October 2010, 73% of children under five had completed their vaccination schedule on time. This is a
positive development, as prior to resettlement none of the children had completed their routine vaccinations.
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In line with health-promotion activities, water pumps that provide clean drinking water have been installed
together with numerous sanitation facilities throughout the Resettlement Villages.
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Working towards education for all:
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A primary school was built in Vohitrambato. Marovato families were resettled within a short distance from their
original local school. Prior to resettlement, school enrollment throughout both villages was a mere 33%. In
2010, enrollment reached 82% at the new school in Vohitrambato and 100% in Marovato.
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Ambatovy is progressively transferring the administration of the Vohitrambato school to the community. By
2010, qualified authorities had taken responsibility for teachers’ salaries and Ambatovy instituted a monthly
bonus program as an incentive for teachers.
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Two pre-schools were established in 2009 and have already proven successful: the director of the
Ampasimbola School, where the Marovato children go, noted that first graders who had completed pre-
school were more attentive, curious, and participative than those who had not.
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Ambatovy also supports adult literacy, French-language training, and other extra-curricular activities at these
school facilities.
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Institutional capacity building:
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In 2010, Ambatovy began working with the communities to create Villager Associations, which will enable a
progressive transfer of community management to the villagers themselves.
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A gender empowerment program was expanded in 2010 to include both men and women.
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Promoting entrepreneurship:
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Ambatovy has implemented various economic development programs aimed at increasing commercial
networks and promoting the sale of local produce.
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Fifty-seven Vohitrambato women also participated in an arts and crafts training program. Classes included
sewing, embroidery, needlepoint and basketry, production, and sales. This training was aimed at improving
the quality of traditional and modern handicraft products.
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Since 2009, a local microfinance institution has been conducting a financial education program that covers
basic financial management and entrepreneurship. The program also teaches residents how to save, invest,
and fulfill credit requirements.
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To increase financial stability and access to credit, Ambatovy is in the process of securing legal
land titles for all the resettled households. The first deeds are expected to be ready in 2011.
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AMBATOVY – SUPPORTING GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
