#SOSAfricanHeritage supports Madagascar World Heritage sites during the COVID-19 pandemic

Two World Heritage properties in Madagascar–Tsingy de Bemaraha Integrated Nature Reserve and the Belo-sur-Mer Kirindy-Mitea Biosphere Reserve—received financial support for COVID-19 recovery and emergency response from the programme #SOSAfricanHeritage funded by the German Commission for UNESCO. The grants follow submission of two project proposals by Madagascar National Parks entitled “Integration of regional and local youth volunteers in the fight against bushfire and restoration of degraded areas in the Kirindy Mite National Park central area of the Belo-sur-Mer – Kirindy-Mitea Biosphere Reserve” and “Strengthening the involvement of local stakeholders’ site committees to reduce pressures in the Tsingy de Bemaraha World Heritage Site”.

The #SOSAfricanHeritage fund, which offers support up to 25,000 Euros, was set up by the German Federal Foreign Office and the Goethe-Institut and aims to respond to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Africa World Heritage sites and other UNESCO designated sites. The funding period is from 15 September to 31 December 2020.