Mamoudzou, Mayotte: Authorities in Mayotte, France’s poorest overseas territory, reported 31 confirmed deaths as of Wednesday, four days after Cyclone Chido devastated the Indian Ocean archipelago. The storm, the worst to hit Mayotte in 90 years, destroyed shanty towns and caused widespread chaos, with officials fearing the death toll could reach hundreds or even thousands.
Relief Efforts Underway
Emergency relief operations are intensifying. On Wednesday, 120 tonnes of food were distributed as supplies continued to arrive via an air bridge from Reunion Island, another French territory in the Indian Ocean.
The local prefecture reported 1,373 people with minor injuries but noted that a complete accounting of deaths and injuries would take time. Acting Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau expressed grave concerns, stating, “I cannot give a death toll because I don’t know. I fear the toll will be too heavy.”
Muslim burial traditions, requiring immediate interment, have complicated efforts to count fatalities accurately. Mayotte’s population, officially recorded at 321,000, is widely believed to be much higher due to undocumented migration, primarily from Comoros and Madagascar.
Cyclone Chido devastated Mayotte, with only 31 deaths confirmed days later and fears of thousands more. Critics claim Paris has failed to protect its struggling overseas territories https://t.co/HT308xyLuF pic.twitter.com/Lv8b2dY1eP
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 18, 2024
A Scene of Destruction
In Mamoudzou, Mayotte’s capital, residents salvaged what they could from piles of debris that once formed makeshift homes. Others repaired roofs damaged by winds reaching 200 kph (124 mph). Tree branches bore remnants of clothing hurled into them by the cyclone.
Nearby, water shortages added to the misery. Many residents queued to fill containers where water was available, with the prefecture promising that half the population would have access to running water by Wednesday evening.
Rising Toll in Africa
Cyclone Chido’s impact extended beyond Mayotte. In Mozambique, the death toll rose to 45 on Wednesday, up from 34 the previous day. In Malawi, fatalities increased from seven to 13.
EU and Local Responses
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed that France had activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, enabling assistance from other countries. Meanwhile, curfews were imposed in Mayotte following looting incidents, with two gendarmes injured during unrest.
Nizar Assani, a local businessman, lamented the lack of resources, recounting a death in his village due to power outages. “We do not need a declaration of love. We need gestures of love,” he said, urging French President Emmanuel Macron to take decisive action during his upcoming visit.
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Health and Economic Concerns
Health workers warned of potential disease outbreaks, citing unrecovered bodies and limited access to clean water. Three-quarters of Mayotte’s population lives below the poverty line, and its economy relies heavily on metropolitan France.
During his weekly audience, Pope Francis prayed for the victims, asking for comfort for affected families and assistance for survivors.
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Political Fallout
Critics in France accused the government of neglecting Mayotte, highlighting insufficient preparation for natural disasters exacerbated by climate change. Some right-wing politicians linked Mayotte’s vulnerabilities to illegal immigration, while the far-right National Rally party, which has strong support in the territory, emphasized these concerns during recent elections.
