In Mayotte, the French territory located in the Indian Ocean, an exceptional natural disaster has been declared following the catastrophic impact of Cyclone Chido. This severe weather event has not only wreaked havoc across the region but has also led to a tragic loss of life, with at least 31 confirmed fatalities reported by French authorities. As the cyclone swept through the small islands, it left behind devastation and confusion, prompting concerns for thousands of individuals still unaccounted for after the storm.
This declaration marks a significant and unprecedented moment in French emergency management, being the first instance of such a measure being invoked in France. The situation is serious enough that President Emmanuel Macron’s planned visit to Mayotte comes at a time when the urgency for aid and relief has never been greater. Senator Salama Ramia, representing Mayotte, expressed the local population’s anticipation of the President’s arrival, emphasizing the immediate need for emergency food supplies. With limited shops open and dwindling stock, there is rising alarm over hunger and access to essential resources.
The exceptional disaster status enables French authorities to bypass certain bureaucratic constraints, facilitating a swifter response to the multi-faceted crisis at hand. This emergency status is activated for a duration of one month, although there are provisions for extending this period in two-month increments, should the needs of the situation require it. According to François-Noël Buffet, the minister overseeing overseas territories, deploying extraordinary resources is crucial for the rapid restoration of vital services and the development of a sustainable recovery plan for the territory.
In response to the overwhelming needs, emergency teams have been working diligently to deliver food and clean drinking water, as well as to clear roads obstructed by debris. However, health authorities are deeply concerned about the potential outbreak of infectious diseases due to the ongoing shortages of clean water and the rationing of supplies in local stores. The primary goal of the authorities is to restore functionality to the damaged water treatment facilities to alleviate these pressing shortages.
As the cyclonic winds, which exceeded 225 km/h (140 mph), tore through the islands, much of the infrastructure suffered extensive damage, leaving half of Mayotte without electricity. Amidst this chaos, a curfew has been implemented to mitigate the risks of looting and further unrest in the affected areas. Mayotte ranks amongst the poorest regions in France, where many residents live in informal settlements characterized by shanty towns.
Macron’s administration has faced criticism for its longstanding lack of investment in Mayotte, a region that houses around 100,000 migrants who have sought asylum in France and often reside in precarious conditions. These marginalized communities have been impacted severely by Cyclone Chido, which is regarded as the most powerful storm to strike the archipelago in nearly a century. After causing destruction in Mayotte, the cyclone continued its path, affecting the African mainland, where it claimed the lives of at least 45 individuals in Mozambique and 13 in Malawi.
As the rescue operations are set into motion, the local government faces a monumental challenge in addressing the humanitarian needs of those affected, grappling with food shortages, the urgency of medical care, and the restoration of infrastructure. The aftermath of the cyclone has left the community in grief and apprehension, with calls for urgent national and international assistance continuing to resonate amid the recovery efforts.
