The situation in Madagascar has reached a critical point following protests that erupted due to ongoing power and water shortages, leading to tragic outcomes. Razanasoa Edmondine remembers the day her daughter-in-law took her one-month-old grandson to the market, only to encounter protesters and police who dispersed them with tear gas.

They ran for shelter but the police fired tear gas canisters into the building, choking everyone inside. We couldn't reach the hospital until the next day, but by then, the harm was done. The baby couldn't cry, he was suffocating from the gas, she reflects sorrowfully.

Her grandson was one of at least 22 casualties, as per the UN, amidst rising frustrations against President Andry Rajoelina’s government, labeled as misinformation by the officials.

The protests, driven by demands for better living conditions and job opportunities, signal deeper issues intertwined with the economic crisis and political unrest plaguing Madagascar. The youth movement, known as Gen Z Mada, has intensified calls for political change, showcasing the country's struggle for the most basic resources, including water, education, and economic stability. Amidst the chaos, many report disrupted livelihoods and heightened tensions between citizens and authorities, challenging a nation looking for hope amid despair.