France observed a national day of mourning on Monday for the victims of Cyclone Chido, which ravaged its poorest territory, Mayotte, over a week ago. The cyclone is considered the most destructive storm to strike the archipelago in 90 years, leading to extensive devastation on the island off the east coast of Africa.
According to reports, at least 35 lives have been lost, with approximately 2,500 individuals injured. The scale of the disaster, with widespread infrastructure damage and precarious living conditions, suggests the real number of fatalities could be significantly higher. Locals have pointed out the practice of burying the deceased within 24 hours under Muslim tradition complicates accurate death toll assessments.
While many residents struggled to prepare for the ferocity of the storm, one account from Zaharia Youssouf tragically encapsulated this reality. Stranded with her son during the storm, she recalled her final conversations with her husband, Baco Houmadi. “I called him three times,” she said, reflecting on their last exchanges as he succumbed to the storm's devastating effects.
Following the cyclone's impact on Dec. 14, communication and power supplies were disrupted, leaving thousands displaced and struggling for basic needs. Youssouf expressed the enormity of her loss; her household now shattered without her partner’s presence to aid reconstruction. Non-drinkable water persists as one of the community's gravest issues, demanding immediate attention.
During a visit to Mayotte, French President Emmanuel Macron was confronted with the residents’ anger and disappointment over the lack of timely assistance. One angry resident shouted, “Seven days and you're not able to give water to the population!” illustrating the dire need for basic supplies. Macron defended the government’s efforts, indicating they are working diligently to scale up distributions, and vowed to support the embattled territory.
On the other hand, Macron’s visit was met with mixed reactions among the residents of Tsingoni. Some individuals expressed gratitude for his presence, thankful for the acknowledgment, whereas others demanded accountability from the French government for what they perceive as neglect. Macron countered criticism by pointing out, “You are happy to be in France. If it wasn't for France, you would be 10,000 times worse off,” showcasing the tensions surrounding governance and local needs.
With Mayotte’s demographics predominantly comprised of low-income individuals, including many undocumented migrants, the repercussions of Cyclone Chido have heightened scrutiny of the French government’s priorities. Currently, about 75% of the territory's population exists below the national poverty line. Immigration issues have made Mayotte a political battleground, with far-right sentiments on the rise largely driven by French locals' perceptions of migrants.
After the cyclone hit, France's Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced the intensification of relief efforts, deploying 800 soldiers to assist with recovery operations. Support has been reportedly mobilized from across Europe, with provisions such as food, shelter materials, and necessities arriving from Germany, Belgium, Sweden, and Italy. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen affirmed her commitment to fostering relief logistics for the victims. "What matters first is water, for the children. Before fixing the houses, before fixing anything, the daily life... We need water," stated Aboubacar Ahamada Mlachahi, reinforcing the urgent calls for clean water access.
The cyclone's impact extends beyond Mayotte; it reportedly killed at least 73 people in Mozambique and 13 in Malawi, illustrating the regional scale of devastation wrought by Cyclone Chido.
The national day of mourning marked an unprecedented acknowledgment of climate-related catastrophe, highlighting France's need to confront the realities of its colonial legacy and responsibilities to its territories. France has invested significantly in Mayotte since it became part of the republic, yet accusations of neglect continue to linger, intensifying calls for both government accountability and comprehensive disaster response plans.
Overall, the situation remains precarious as both local recovery efforts and governmental responses continue to evolve, necessitating immediate and sustained engagement for those affected by the cyclone.
