MAMOUDZOU, Mayotte — On Wednesday, relatives of families impacted by Cyclone Chido voiced feelings of despair a day ahead of the arrival of France’s president, along with roughly 180 tons of aid. The cyclone has wreaked havoc on the French island territory of Mayotte, leaving many in dire conditions.
Survivors and humanitarian organizations have detailed scenes of hastily conducted burials, the overwhelming scent of deceased individuals, and extensive damage to fragile informal settlements, which are predominantly home to migrants. This demographic complexity makes it particularly difficult to ascertain the number of fatalities as a result of the cyclone. French authorities referred to the disaster as “a catastrophe of exceptional intensity,” confirming 31 deaths but noting that the Muslim tradition of burying the deceased within a day could mean the actual number is much higher.
Located in the Indian Ocean off the eastern coast of Africa, Mayotte is France’s most impoverished territory and has become a desired destination for migrants seeking a route to Europe. In response to the situation, France’s interior minister has suggested tightening immigration controls. The cyclone, which struck on Saturday, is noted as the most lethal storm to affect the islands in nearly a century, with winds surpassing 220 kph (136 mph), according to the French meteorological agency. Many residents dismissed warnings of the cyclone’s severity, underestimating its potential impact.
Currently, residents are navigating through the remnants of their neighborhoods in search of food and water, while communication networks remain unreliable. Reporters in Mayotte have observed scenes of destruction, with homes reduced to rubble, trees uprooted, and long lines forming for water supplies. A temporary camp for French military personnel has been established at the local airport.
French Prime Minister François Bayrou reported that over 1,500 individuals sustained injuries, with more than 200 classified as critical cases. Yet, officials suspect that hundreds, if not thousands, may have lost their lives, while around 100,000 residents are living in precarious conditions.
Meanwhile, on the French island of Reunion, located roughly three hours away by plane, family members are gathering supplies and aid for those affected in Mayotte. Some reported alarming conditions, indicating that families back home are running out of food and water, and roofs have been stripped from their homes. Establishing communication has proven challenging, taking days for some families.
“It is difficult because I feel helpless,” expressed 19-year-old Khayra Djoumoi Thany. Another resident, Anrafa Parassouramin, conveyed similar sentiments about her relatives in Mayotte. “We are also afraid of disease outbreaks because people are drinking contaminated water from whatever sources they can find,” she said.
Health Minister Geneviève Darrieussecq has raised alarms over the potential for a cholera epidemic on the islands, especially in light of a recent outbreak involving a strain of the disease resistant to treatment.
French authorities began distributing 23 tons of water on Wednesday. François-Noël Buffet, the French minister overseeing overseas matters, confirmed that aid delivered by plane had started reaching various locations across Mayotte. He warned that the water supply system is currently operating at only 50% capacity, which poses risks to public health due to possible contamination. Meanwhile, electricity has been partially restored.
The local hospital suffered significant damage, and it is anticipated that a field hospital will be set up and operational by early next week. A French Navy ship is scheduled to arrive on Thursday carrying 180 tons of aid and equipment; however, the main airport remains closed to commercial flights due to cyclone damage, with the road network similarly impaired.
President Emmanuel Macron is set to visit Mayotte on Thursday to tour a hospital and a destroyed neighborhood. He remarked, “Our compatriots are experiencing unimaginable hardships just a few thousand kilometers away.”
Residents of Mayotte have long expressed dissatisfaction with what they perceive as the French government’s neglect of their issues. In response to the cyclone, a recent program aired by public broadcaster France 2 successfully raised 5 million euros (approximately $5.24 million) to be directed toward relief efforts in Mayotte through the Foundation of France charity.