On December 14, Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte, the French overseas territory, and Mozambique with unprecedented force, claiming lives and devastating infrastructure. The storm has been described as the worst to hit Mayotte in 90 years, with French officials estimating the death toll could range from hundreds to thousands.
Following the cyclone, French President Emmanuel Macron declared a national day of mourning for the victims of this disaster. Flags flew at half-mast across France, and public offices observed a minute of silence. Macron, who visited Mayotte during the cyclone's aftermath, stated, "I had nothing to do with the cyclone. You can blame me, but it wasn’t me," responding to frustrated locals who criticized the government for slow aid delivery.
Initial reports indicated at least 35 fatalities and more than 2,500 injuries on Mayotte, though authorities believe many more lives may have been lost, particularly among undocumented migrants who inhabit informal settlements on the island. Estelle Youssouffa, the island’s MP, elaborated, saying, "All public services are down," emphasizing the dire conditions faced by survivors.
The cyclone's winds reached over 260 km/h (160 mph), wreaking havoc as it made landfall on Mayotte. The prefect of Mayotte, François-Xavier Bieuville, warned, "It will definitely be several hundred," referring to the potential rise of the death toll as damage gets assessed. The island, already struggling with poverty, saw makeshift homes built with sheet metal completely flattened by the storm.
After battering Mayotte, Cyclone Chido moved toward Mozambique, where it continued its deadly path, causing extensive damage. Reports from Mozambique indicated at least 94 deaths, with officials noting over 110,000 homes destroyed. The northern province of Cabo Delgado was particularly hard-hit, suffering widespread infrastructure damage, which has compounded existing issues tied to political unrest following recent elections.
Bruno Retailleau, French interior minister, explained the scale of the disaster: "This is probably the worst natural disaster in centuries of French history." He noted significant operational challenges faced by emergency responders, who were contending with the loss of communication and infrastructure. Abdoul Karim Ahmed Allaoui, head of Mayotte’s firefighters’ union, stated, "Even emergency responders are locked down," highlighting the situation's gravity as they struggle to reach affected areas.
The cyclone exposed and exacerbated underlying tensions within Mayotte, particularly surrounding the large migrant population from the nearby Comoros Islands. Residents voiced concerns over resource allocation, with some claiming, "If there is help from the government — water or something to eat or money to make houses — Mahorais people will not have it,” indicating fears of migrants receiving more assistance after the disaster.
Macron acknowledged these tensions, stating, "The problems of Mayotte cannot be solved without addressing illegal immigration," as he discussed the challenges of the island’s growing population. Many fear the cyclone may be used as justification for renewed crackdowns on undocumented immigrants living there, as some express anxiety about potential displacements.
The situation remains precarious as international aid begins to flow, and officials declare their commitment to rebuilding efforts. After the cyclone surged through Mozambique, Daniel Chapo, the ruling party's presidential candidate, urged citizens to donate food and clothing to victims, saying, "Even if we are using them, our brothers need them.” His appeal reflects the dire humanitarian needs resulting from the cyclone’s destruction.
Residents across both regions face the twin pressures of rebuilding their lives after the cyclonic devastation and dealing with the political fallout accompanying the storms. The scars left by Cyclone Chido present complicated challenges, underscoring the urgent need for both humanitarian assistance and long-term solutions to the intertwined crises of migration, infrastructure, and climate resilience.
