At approximately 7:00 p.m. on August 10, Fanja Michel Rakotomanana, chief technical advisor for the Food Security project for the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) office in Madagascar, was killed when his motorcycle collided with an unlit parked truck. Rakotomanana was 40 years old.

The accident happened on a long stretch of road six miles north of the city of Moramanga, Madagascar. “There was a thick fog covering the road, which prevented Michel from seeing the truck until it was too late,” said Peter Delhove, country director for ADRA Madagascar. “X-rays revealed that he received massive trauma to his chest when he struck the truck’s rear bumper, and his motorcycle slid under the truck. There is little doubt that his death was instantaneous and there was no suffering.”

“We are deeply moved by Michel’s tragic loss,” commented Charles Sandefur, president of ADRA International. “As a member of ADRA’s global network and a dedicated humanitarian who worked to help others, he will be greatly missed.”

The ADRA Madagascar staff mourns Rakotomanana’s death. On August 11, his staff was given the day off in memory of his passing.

His father, wife, and two children, ages four and seven survive Rakotomanana.

ADRA is present in 125 countries, providing community development and disaster relief without regard to political or religious association, age, or ethnicity.