Mayotte, December 19, 2024 – The Europe Today: French President Emmanuel Macron has visited Mayotte to assess the widespread destruction caused by Cyclone Chido, which struck the Indian Ocean archipelago with unprecedented force on Saturday. The cyclone, the strongest in nearly a century, left thousands without basic necessities and raised fears of a significantly higher death toll than currently reported.
Upon arrival, Macron was greeted by an airport security agent who described the devastation: “Mayotte is demolished.” The agent, Assane Haloi, shared her family’s plight, revealing that her relatives, including small children, had lost access to water and electricity and had nowhere to shelter. “There’s no roof, there’s nothing. No water, no food, no electricity,” she said, urgently calling for emergency aid.
Cyclone Chido left widespread damage, with thousands of residents facing unimaginable hardship. Macron surveyed the destruction from a helicopter and then visited the hospital in Mamoudzou, the island’s capital, where he met with medical staff and patients. There, he heard firsthand accounts of the dire situation, including reports of people who had not had access to drinking water for 48 hours.
Wearing a traditional Mayotte scarf, Macron listened to medical staff and survivors, including one psychologist who expressed the overwhelming emotional toll on residents and caregivers alike. “We are all in an unsafe situation, psychologically unwell,” she said, breaking down in tears.
In response to the growing humanitarian crisis, Macron confirmed that additional medical personnel and a field hospital would be deployed. “We are bringing more caregivers,” he assured, “and a field hospital will be set up tomorrow.”
The island’s lawmaker, Estelle Youssoufa, described the chaotic aftermath, with many victims hastily buried in open-air graves due to the Muslim practice of burying the dead within 24 hours. “There are no rescuers, no one has come to recover the buried bodies,” she said. Some survivors and aid groups reported the stench of the bodies and the anguish of not knowing the fate of missing loved ones.
Macron acknowledged the challenges in communication, noting that phone services would be restored soon to help families report missing persons. French authorities confirmed that at least 31 people have died and more than 1,500 are injured, with over 200 in critical condition. However, it is feared that the actual toll could be much higher.
Macron’s visit has drawn mixed reactions. Some residents, like Abdou Houmadou, criticized the cost of the visit, suggesting that the funds would have been better spent on immediate aid. Others, such as Ahamadi Mohammed, welcomed the visit, hoping it would lead to more substantial aid for the island.
Macron’s office reported that the president’s flight carried four tonnes of food, medical supplies, and additional rescuers. A navy ship also arrived with 180 tonnes of aid and equipment.
The hardest-hit areas include a large slum on the outskirts of Mamoudzou, where many have lost their homes and loved ones. Nassirou Hamidouni, a 28-year-old father of five, described the devastating impact of the cyclone, recounting the loss of his neighbor and the challenging task of digging through rubble to rescue survivors.
Meanwhile, Alibouna Haithouna, a 25-year-old mother of four, shared the trauma of losing her brother to the cyclone and the difficulties she faced in retrieving his body due to bureaucratic hurdles and fees.
As the recovery efforts continue, the people of Mayotte remain in urgent need of food, shelter, and medical assistance as they begin the long process of rebuilding their lives.
