ANTANANARIVO, March 5, 2008 (AFP) - The United Nations said Wednesday it had launched a flash appeal for 36.4 million dollars to assist cyclone-stricken areas in the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar.

'This appeal is a tool aimed at outlining a coordinated response in the coming three months,' local UN humanitarian coordinator Jean-Marie Stratigos told AFP.

The immediate goal of the appeal if to provide food security, drinking water and education to the affected population. The long-term needs have not yet been fully assessed nationwide.

At least 84 people were killed and 177 went missing when cyclone Ivan swept across the vast island between February 17 and 19. The cyclone, one of the worst in Madagscar's history, also left 190,000 people homeless.

Cyclone Fame, which hit the island on January 27, had left 13 people dead.