The United Nations appealed a $35 million bailout to save lives in Madagascar where over 3 million people need help due to political instability and natural disasters.

Madagascar has suffered from political protests which reached a climax last month when the president was ousted by an army-backed opposition leader. The country also was hit bitterly by drought and cyclones this year.

The Madagascar Humanitarian Country Team is seeking $35.7 million to prevent the deterioration of the humanitarian situation and to save lives, said an UN Official from the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The funds would also help bolster social safety nets and support the most needed recovery, an OCHA statement said.

According to the statement, there are an estimated 2.5 million people living mainly in Madagascar's main cities and an additional 880,000 living in the drought-affected south, needing the humanitarian assistance.

The island is newly hit Monday by cyclone Jade and more aid workers were needed to deal with the damage, said Elisabeth Byrs, the agency spokesman.

Food security is also expected to be a problem, as a drought is expected to delay the harvest by three months and to cut it by up to 40%, noted OCHA.

Around $16.6m of the needed funds would go towards food security while $9.3m would go towards water and sanitation.

The former President Marc Ravalomanana was ousted by the army-support new leader Andry Rajoelina last month.

According to the Rajoelina's regime statement last week , fresh presidential elections would be held in October 2010.

Madagascar