In brief
Mayotte has been plunged into a state of exceptional natural disaster following Cyclone Chido, with substantial loss of life and extensive damage reported, marking a historic moment for France's overseas territories.
In the wake of Cyclone Chido, a state of exceptional natural disaster has been declared in Mayotte, the French territory in the Indian Ocean, as it struggles to recover from the cyclone's brutal aftermath. With French officials confirming 31 deaths and thousands still unaccounted for, this marks a significant crisis for the islands, having encountered the worst storm in 90 years.Set to arrive in Mayotte on Thursday, President Emmanuel Macron faces mounting scrutiny as the territory grapples with the chaos arising from the cyclone that struck on Saturday. The emergency declaration—unprecedented for France—enables faster access to resources and administrative support aimed at rapidly addressing the urgent needs of the local populations. François-Noël Buffet, the minister responsible for overseas territories, emphasized the necessity of deploying exceptional resources to restore essential services and plan for sustainable recovery.Emergency crews are hard at work providing food and water, as well as clearing extensive debris. The threat of infectious diseases looms, with reports of clean drinking water shortages and rationing of vital supplies. The priority remains to restore power and water supplies, with half of the territory currently without electricity.Compounding the situation, a curfew has been instituted to mitigate the risk of looting, mandating residents to remain indoors for six hours overnight. Mayotte’s socio-economic challenges add another layer of complexity, as many residents live in substandard housing, making them particularly vulnerable to the cyclone’s impact. The ongoing humanitarian crisis has been worsened by the influx of around 100,000 migrants who have sought refuge in the territory.Cyclone Chido, which unleashed winds exceeding 225km/h (140 mph), left significant destruction in its wake, leveling homes and littering once-fertile land with debris. The cyclone's fury did not end in Mayotte; it also wreaked havoc on the African mainland, where at least 45 people lost their lives in Mozambique and 13 in Malawi.Rescue operations continue in the wake of Cyclone Chido as Mayotte begins the arduous journey of recovery and rebuilding.
