France held a national day of mourning on December 18, 2023, honoring the victims of Cyclone Chido, which wreaked havoc across its overseas territory of Mayotte less than one week earlier. Cyclone Chido is reported to be the worst storm to strike Mayotte’s two main islands in nearly 90 years, leaving destruction, suffering, and sorrow in its wake.
Initial reports indicated at least 35 confirmed deaths, but local authorities warn this figure may vastly undercount the true toll, possibly reaching the thousands. Many, including undocumented migrants who make up a significant portion of Mayotte's population, faced dire consequences during the cyclone’s onset. According to Prime Minister François Bayrou, the intimate sorrow felt across the nation displayed solidarity for those affected. He stated, “It is a communion in mourning,” as flags across the nation were lowered to half-mast to honor the victims.
Cyclone Chido descended upon Mayotte on December 14, delivering wind gusts of up to 260 kilometers per hour and over 250 millimeters of rain within just one day. The cyclone cut off communications, collapsed homes, and decimated already fragile public services on the island, known for its poverty and higher rates of illegal immigration. Around three-quarters of Mayotte’s 320,000 residents live beneath the poverty line, creating precarious living situations even before the cyclone struck.
The devastation forced many residents to seek shelter, yet reports emerged of undocumented migrants—including those from the nearby Comoros Islands—who feared deportation and stayed home, increasing their vulnerability. Mohamed Abdou, a doctor from Pamandzi, expressed outrage at the government's response, labeling the day of mourning as insufficient. “We need to say ‘mea culpa’ and acknowledge mistakes were made,” he argued, pointing out systemic failures leading to the storm's catastrophic effects.
Adding to the tragedy, Cyclone Chido inflicted harm across the Indian Ocean, particularly affecting Mozambique—where at least 94 lives were lost and around 620,000 individuals were impacted by the storm. Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province was particularly hard hit, enduring both natural disaster and political turmoil, with recent unrest following controversial elections.
Chido's intensity and devastating effects have been attributed to the realities of climate change, leading officials to speak about the necessity for rebuilding efforts intertwined with climate adaptation. During his visit, President Macron stated, “The problems of Mayotte cannot be solved without addressing illegal immigration,” which is telling of the complex interplay of migration issues and the island’s future.
Compounding frustrations for residents, the slow arrival of humanitarian aid has led to public anger. After Cyclone Chido, many people remain desperate for clean water, food, and shelter; they took to jeering at visiting officials, demanding more immediate relief. While some government representatives insisted aid was being distributed, locals, such as Fatima, shared their struggles: “Just to have water is complicated,” she lamented, highlighting the urgent need for infrastructural repair—an issue exacerbated by previous neglect related to the migrant population living on the island.
Calamity has intensified the already simmering resentment toward migrant communities. Many residents criticized officials for allegedly prioritizing aid distribution to non-citizens at the expense of the local population. “We are the legitimate population of this island,” Amada Salime, living amid the rubble of his home, expressed. His sentiments are reflective of growing resentment among locals, who feel abandoned and warn they may not receive the help needed to rebuild.
Citing the need for intensive, strategic action, Bayrou indicated plans to introduce legislative measures focused on Mayotte’s reconstruction. French officials have also proposed bolstering border control to manage the migrant influx, as public officials—like Bruno Retailleau—demand tougher measures to stem illegal immigration, framing the situation as dire and reminiscent of war. Critics and advocates alike fear, though, this response will only pit local residents against migrants instead of fostering cohesion.
The cyclone's aftermath also penetrated deeply personal stories of loss, highlighted by testimonies of locals struggling with grief and dislocation. Estelle Youssouffa, one Mayotte lawmaker, was vocal about the French government’s perceived neglect: “It’s disgraceful, contemptuous, and deeply mediocre,” she declared, arguing against conducting cabinet announcements during the mourning period.
This week’s events reflect both the immediate human impact of natural disasters on marginalized communities and the urgent narrative surrounding climate change and migration. With individuals and whole families dislocated, tens of thousands will need substantial support as they begin to navigate life after Cyclone Chido. Moving forward, addressing the multifaceted disaster—natural, political, and humanitarian—will be key as France and Mozambique strive to provide aid and enact policies to address climate vulnerability and humanitarian rights within the region.
