France has launched an urgent relief operation, deploying ships and military aircraft to deliver rescue teams and essential supplies to Mayotte after Cyclone Chido struck the French island territory on Saturday. The devastating cyclone, the strongest in nearly a century, has left entire neighborhoods flattened and raised fears of hundreds, if not thousands, of fatalities.
French President Emmanuel Macron described the situation as a “tragedy that has shaken each of us,” pledging to visit the island in the coming days and declaring a national mourning period.
Widespread Devastation
Mayotte, located between Madagascar and the African mainland, saw winds exceeding 220 kph (136 mph) as Cyclone Chido, a Category 4 storm, tore through the territory. Mamoudzou, the capital, was among the hardest-hit areas, with schools, hospitals, and homes severely damaged or destroyed.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau estimated that 70% of the island’s population was “gravely affected,” describing the devastation as unprecedented. The French Health Ministry confirmed 21 deaths and 45 critical injuries as of Monday, though officials fear the actual toll is much higher. French Health Minister Geneviève Darrieussecq warned that the scale of the disaster made it difficult to provide accurate estimates.
Electricity and telecommunications remain down across much of the island, further complicating rescue operations. Authorities are especially concerned about water shortages and the rising risk of hunger.
Chaos and Survivors’ Struggle
Mayotte residents have described scenes of chaos. Streets are littered with debris, while survivors search desperately for food, shelter, and clean water.
“Mayotte is totally devastated,” said local resident Fahar Abdoulhamidi. He added that many people underestimated the cyclone’s power, with some staying in fragile homes, known as bangas, fearing looting or deportation.
Senator Salama Ramia urged swift aid delivery, telling French media, “There’s no water, no electricity. Hunger is rising, and we must act urgently, especially for the children.”
France’s Emergency Response
France has deployed 1,500 additional personnel, including 800 military and civilian security teams, engineers, and gendarmes, to assist in rescue and recovery. The French Red Cross called the devastation “unimaginable,” while authorities airlifted 20 tons of water and food daily to the archipelago.
However, the scale of destruction has hindered access to certain areas, including Mayotte’s main airport, which remains closed to civilian flights until Thursday due to damage. A field hospital is expected to arrive later this week to supplement the overwhelmed healthcare system, which sustained extensive water damage to critical departments.
Long-Standing Challenges
Mayotte, France’s poorest overseas territory and part of the European Union, has long struggled with underinvestment, poverty, and political unrest. Three-quarters of its 320,000 residents live in poverty, with another estimated 100,000 migrants from neighboring regions.
Residents have accused the French government of neglect, and the cyclone’s aftermath has intensified calls for improved infrastructure and support.
Regional Impact
After battering Mayotte, Cyclone Chido continued its destructive path westward, making landfall in Mozambique, where it claimed three lives and damaged schools. In neighboring Malawi, two additional deaths were reported.
The European Parliament observed a minute of silence for the victims, with President Roberta Metsola reaffirming support: “Mayotte is Europe, and Europe will not abandon you.”
As Mayotte begins to grapple with the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, aid efforts are underway to address immediate needs while the scale of the tragedy continues to unfold.
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