MAMOUDZOU, Mayotte — On Thursday, President Emmanuel Macron of France visited Mayotte, an Indian Ocean archipelago, to assess the severe destruction caused by Cyclone Chido. The cyclone has left countless residents struggling without essential resources like water and electricity.
As Macron arrived, an airport security agent named Assane Haloi remarked on the extensive damage, sharing the plight of her family, which includes young children, who are facing dire conditions. She indicated that they have been left without basic necessities and shelter after the cyclone, the most powerful to hit the region in nearly a century, struck on Saturday.
“There’s nothing left—no roof, no water, no food, and no electricity. We are simply trying to survive,” Haloi expressed, appealing for emergency assistance. Shortly after landing, Macron took to the skies in a helicopter to get an aerial view of the devastation and then proceeded to visit the hospital in Mamoudzou, which is the capital of Mayotte, to engage with medical staff and patients.
Dressed in a traditional Mayotte scarf over his shirt and tie, with his sleeves rolled up, Macron listened intently to the community’s urgent requests for support. A hospital worker informed him that some individuals had not had any drinking water for two days. Residents also shared their distress regarding uncertainty about loved ones who might have perished or are still unaccounted for, a concern exacerbated by the local customs of burying deceased individuals within 24 hours.
Mayotte lawmaker Estelle Youssoufa remarked on the grim reality of mass graves left without proper recovery efforts, stating, “We’re dealing with open-air mass graves. There are no rescuers to help with the bodies.” Some survivors and humanitarian organizations reported the rapid and disrespectful burials of victims, accompanied by the unbearable odor of decay.
Acknowledging the tragic losses, Macron confirmed that many deaths have not yet been officially recorded. He promised that communication services would be restored soon, which would assist families in locating missing members. According to French authorities, at least 31 lives have been lost and over 1,500 people sustained injuries, with more than 200 in critical condition. However, it is feared that the true death toll may reach hundreds or even thousands more.
Following his hospital visits, Macron planned to tour a heavily damaged neighborhood. Abdou Houmadou, a 27-year-old resident, emphasized that what the community truly needs is immediate aid rather than just a presidential presence. “Mr. President, it would have been better if the resources used for your visit had been directed to help us,” he commented.
Conversely, another local, Ahamadi Mohammed, expressed a more positive outlook, believing that Macron’s visit would prompt significant aid to help the island recover. Macron’s office had noted that four tons of food and medical supplies, along with additional rescue personnel, were included on his flight. Furthermore, a navy ship was expected to deliver 180 tons of aid and essential equipment.
Residents in the large slum areas surrounding Mamoudzou were among the most severely affected by the fierce cyclone. Many faced immense losses, including their homes and family members. Nassirou Hamidouni, 28, described the tragic moment his neighbor was killed when his house collapsed with his children inside. Hamidouni, along with other community members, worked to uncover victims trapped in the rubble.
He expressed deep concern that the death toll is significantly underestimated given the calamity of the disaster. “It was really tough,” he stated as he began the daunting task of rebuilding his own destroyed home.
Mayotte, situated in the Indian Ocean between mainland Africa and northern Madagascar, is known as France’s poorest territory. The cyclone inflicted severe damage on neighborhoods, particularly since many residents underestimated the storm’s potential impact. The population of Mayotte is over 320,000, with a majority being Muslim. French officials have also estimated upwards of 100,000 migrants reside there. This territory of the Comoros archipelago voted to remain part of France during a referendum in 1974. In recent years, the region has witnessed a significant influx of migrants from neighboring islands, specifically from the independent nation of Comoros, as well as migrants seeking to reach Europe from distant locations like Somalia.