Relatives of families in Mayotte, the French island territory devastated by Cyclone Chido, expressed deep helplessness on Wednesday, just a day before French President Emmanuel Macron and 180 tons of aid were expected to arrive.
Survivors and aid organisations reported widespread devastation, including hasty burials, the stench of decomposing bodies, and the destruction of informal settlements.
The cyclone, which struck on Saturday, is the deadliest storm to hit Mayotte in nearly a century. With winds exceeding 220 kph (136 mph), the storm destroyed entire neighbourhoods across the Indian Ocean archipelago. Despite warnings, many residents underestimated the storm’s severity and failed to evacuate.
Now, with telecommunications severely disrupted and even health centres damaged, residents are struggling to find food and basic supplies.
Reporters described scenes of destroyed homes, felled trees, and people lining up for water as French military personnel established a makeshift camp at the airport.
French Prime Minister François Bayrou stated on Tuesday that over 1,500 people were injured, with more than 200 critically hurt. Officials fear that the death toll could reach hundreds or even thousands.
Meanwhile, loved ones on the French island of Réunion, located three hours away by air, are mobilising to send aid. Some said their families in Mayotte are without food or water and face exposure to unsafe drinking sources.
“We are also afraid of disease outbreaks, because people are drinking water from wherever they can get it, and it’s not necessarily potable water,” said Anrafa Parassouramin, who has family in Mayotte.
Health Minister Geneviève Darrieussecq warned of the potential for a cholera epidemic, citing a recent outbreak of a highly drug-resistant strain earlier this year.
Efforts to address the crisis are underway. French authorities began distributing 23 tons of water on Wednesday. François-Noël Buffet, the French Minister for Overseas Matters, confirmed that water supply systems are operating at only 50% capacity, with significant risks to quality.
Electricity has partially resumed, and a Navy ship carrying 180 tons of aid and equipment is expected to arrive on Thursday. A field hospital is also set to open next week to address the destruction of Mayotte’s main hospital.
President Macron will visit Mayotte on Thursday to assess the situation firsthand. “Our compatriots are living through the worst just a few thousand kilometers away,” he said in a statement.
Some Mayotte residents have long criticised the French government for neglecting the territory, France’s poorest, which is also a key destination for migrants aiming to reach Europe. On Tuesday, a fundraiser on France 2 raised €5 million (£5.24 million) in aid for Mayotte through the Foundation of France charity.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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