Paris, December 20, 2024 – The Europe Today: President Emmanuel Macron announced a national day of mourning in France on Monday to honor the victims of Cyclone Chido, which devastated the overseas territory of Mayotte. Flags will fly at half-mast, and a moment of silence is scheduled for 11:00 am local time (10:00 GMT) as the nation unites in solidarity with the Mahorais people.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Macron expressed, “We all share in the pain of the Mahorais.”
During his visit to Mayotte on Thursday, Macron surveyed the catastrophic damage caused by the cyclone, the strongest to hit the island in nearly a century. Cyclone Chido left the territory in ruins, with at least 31 confirmed dead, over 1,500 injured—200 critically—and fears that the death toll could rise significantly.
The cyclone has also displaced thousands of residents, destroyed critical infrastructure, and left many without water, food, or electricity. Entire neighborhoods, especially in slum areas near Mamoudzou, the capital, were demolished.
Visiting Mayotte, Macron committed to rebuilding efforts while reinforcing measures to combat illegal immigration. “We will rebuild schools, homes, and the hospital,” he stated.
In Mamoudzou, Macron met with medical staff and patients and toured destroyed neighborhoods. He also conducted an aerial survey of the damage, observing the scale of the devastation.
Survivors described harrowing experiences. Assane Haloi, an airport security agent, told Macron, “There’s no roof, no water, no food, no electricity. We can’t even shelter, and we are all wet with our children.”
Another resident, Nassirou Hamidouni, recounted losing his neighbor and the neighbor’s six children when their house collapsed. “The official death toll feels too low for the severity of what happened,” Hamidouni said while trying to rebuild his own home.
Emergency aid is en route to Mayotte, including a navy ship carrying 180 tons of supplies. France has also requested 10,000 tents and emergency accommodations through the European Civil Protection Mechanism to address the immediate needs of survivors.
Mayotte, located in the Indian Ocean between Africa’s east coast and Madagascar, is France’s poorest territory. The cyclone has exposed the island’s vulnerability, with many residents ignoring storm warnings, underestimating its intensity.
President Macron’s visit and France’s swift actions are seen as critical steps to provide relief and lay the groundwork for Mayotte’s recovery. However, local residents continue to urge for more robust and immediate support to address the scale of the crisis.
