Macron Visits Cyclone-Hit Mayotte: Bringing Aid Amid Devastation

French President Emmanuel Macron landed in Mayotte on Thursday, bringing four tonnes of essential food and health aid to the cyclone-stricken French Indian Ocean territory. Cyclone Chido, the most severe storm to hit the region in 90 years, wreaked havoc last Saturday, leaving at least 31 people dead and thousands missing.

A Territory in Crisis

Mayotte, one of France’s poorest territories, has declared a state of exceptional natural disaster, enabling swift administrative responses to the crisis. This designation will remain active for a month but can be extended if necessary.

The cyclone’s 225 km/h (140 mph) winds devastated shanty towns and informal settlements, leaving many homeless. Currently, half the region remains without power, and clean water is scarce. Emergency services are working tirelessly to restore damaged water plants, deliver essential supplies, and locate the missing.

Urgent Need for Food and Resources

Salama Ramia, French senator for Mayotte, emphasized the dire need for food as shops face shortages and many residents lack the means to purchase supplies. Health workers warn of potential disease outbreaks due to limited access to clean drinking water.

A curfew has been imposed to prevent looting, requiring residents to stay indoors overnight. Macron’s visit has been met with mixed reactions, with some locals accusing his administration of years of underinvestment in the territory, leaving it ill-prepared for disasters of this scale.

Migrants Among the Hardest Hit

Mayotte has long been home to a significant population of migrants seeking asylum in France. Many live in precarious conditions, and these communities are among those most severely impacted by Cyclone Chido.

A Call for Rebuilding

The French government has pledged to deploy exceptional resources to restore vital services and implement a sustainable reconstruction plan for Mayotte. François-Noël Buffet, the minister for overseas territories, stated the need for a long-term strategy to help the territory recover.

Cyclone Chido’s destruction extended beyond Mayotte, claiming 45 lives in Mozambique and 13 in Malawi after leaving the island.