Madagascar is a large island nation located in the southwestern part of the Indian Ocean, just off the southeastern edge of the African continent. The country is vulnerable to droughts, earthquakes, epidemics, floods, cyclones, extreme temperatures, and sea-level rises. Its vulnerability is exacerbated by the country’s lack of functional institutions, developmental challenges characterized by high poverty and illiteracy rates of approximately 70 percent (as of 2005), and an uncertain political situation.