More than 12,800 youth and children took part in one of the largest emergency youth participatory assessments conducted in the immediate aftermath of political and civil unrest. Different techniques and approaches were simultaneously adopted, ranging from photo documentaries, focus group discussions, interactive recreational and psychological interventions in primary and secondary schools, one to one interviews and case studies, individual interviews with hospitalised youth injured during the political unrest, focus group discussions with street children and homeless youth in Antananarivo and open ended questions with youth in prison or recently released from police custody. [...]

There is a general perception among youth that the political crisis is simply the culmination of months of financial crisis and increased daily hardships. The youth feel that what is happening now in Madagascar, will have an immediate and long-term negative impact on their lives and future options. The impact on household socio-economic status and security has been strongly felt. Youth reveal a decrease in their household’s available income, the capacity to access basic needs, loss of employment, a decrease in school attendance and performance, alongside an increased climate of insecurity and a threat of danger for people and their properties. [...]

Youth report a general fear of divisions at community level and informed facilitators of a rapid deterioration of traditional protection and coping mechanisms. Traditional wisdom appears to have disappeared; the mediating role of the elderly seems insufficient or incapable of facing the magnitude of the problem. Solutions are now reportedly to be found through violence, riots and the use of force. Differences in political opinions are supporting the break down of traditional community unity. This appears to be a mainly urban phenomenon, compounded by difficulties in accessing basic quality services. [...]

Sadness arises out of friends having disappeared, being put in prison, wounded or killed. Images transmitted by the media have also instilled a sense of fear and anger in seeing the nation fall apart. Faced with this situation, the youth have mixed feelings; those of being powerless versus hopes of contributing towards change. Young people feel sad and in some cases powerless, as they perceive the problems around them as too overwhelming to be solved.

They feel isolated and unable to seek help because they no longer trust those who are offering assistance. On the other hand, they reveal that recent events ‘made them grow up’ and are now of the opinion that they can stand up for what they believe in, by any means possible. [...]

Youth report a progressive increase in the use of violence among young people themselves, and a rise in street gangs to ‘regulate’ life within and between their neighbourhoods. These street gangs are, in some cases, linked to ‘powerful patrons’ that provide protection and easy enrolment in organised crime. Young people also report increased pressure from peers to join organised gangs and to ‘hang around’ with them. They have also noticed an increase of ‘natural aggression’ towards neighbours. Areas within communities that previously felt safe and secure have become places to be avoided at any time of the day.