Mayotte Devastated by Cyclone Chido: Humanitarian Aid Is Urgent

To address this crisis, an A400M military aircraft will be dedicated exclusively to the transport of mineral water and food, with a capacity of 20 tons on each flight. Dec 16, 2024 Photo: EFE

December 16, 2024 Hour: 5:01 pm

The minister participated remotely in a crisis meeting led by President Emmanuel Macron, who announced his intention to travel to Mayotte in the coming days and decree a national day of mourning.

The island of Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean, is in a critical situation after the passage of Cyclone Chido, which has left the island “totally devastated,” according to statements by the acting Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau.

During a press conference from the island, Retailleau reported on the extent of the damage and the difficulty in establishing a definitive death toll, a process that could take several days.

The minister participated remotely in a crisis meeting led by President Emmanuel Macron, who announced his intention to travel to Mayotte in the coming days and decree a national day of mourning.

Notre attention s'est d'abord portée sur les infrastructures essentielles, indispensables pour acheminer la nourriture, l'eau, les médicaments, etc. L'ensemble des moyens a été mobilisé pour accueillir, au plus vite, toutes les ressources humaines et matérielles nécessaires afin… pic.twitter.com/YIks4o1OGJ
— Bruno Retailleau (@BrunoRetailleau) December 16, 2024

Retailleau highlighted that 90% of the houses have been affected, especially in the shanty areas known as ‘bidonvilles,’ which have been completely razed. Transport infrastructure has also suffered severe damage, complicating the arrival of emergency services.

The most urgent needs on the island are water and food. Retailleau warned that water treatment plants will not reach full operating capacity for at least a week, compounding the already precarious situation regarding drinking water supply under normal conditions.

To address this crisis, an A400M military aircraft will be dedicated exclusively to the transport of mineral water and food, with a capacity of 20 tons on each flight.

The authorities are working to restore operations at the airport, which currently operates only during the day while an airlift is established from the island of Réunion, located two hours away.

In total, France has deployed 13 aircraft to facilitate the arrival of humanitarian aid, with support from three commercial companies. Building materials and modular housing will also be sent from France to begin reconstruction of the devastated infrastructure.

The situation in Mayotte is alarming and requires a rapid and effective response to alleviate the suffering of its inhabitants and restore normalcy on the island.