France observed a national day of mourning on Monday, December 25, for the victims of Cyclone Chido, which devastated Mayotte, one of France's overseas territories, on December 14. The cyclone was described as the worst storm to hit the region in 90 years, with officials estimating the death toll could reach thousands, though the government has only confirmed 35 deaths.
The day started with a minute of silence at 11:00 AM (1000 GMT), and flags were lowered to half-mast across the country as well as at French embassies abroad, including Brussels and Strasbourg. "It is a communion in mourning," stated Prime Minister François Bayrou, emphasizing the solidarity between the mainland and Mayotte, and assuring residents, "France is present to reconstruct Mayotte and make sure the people of Mayotte feel surrounded by the entire country."
Cyclone Chido, packing winds of up to 260 km/h (160 mph) and heavy rainfall, resulted in complete devastation throughout Mayotte. Many residents live in makeshift homes made of sheet metal, and the storm left them without basic necessities such as water, communication, and electricity. Conditions are dire, particularly as survivors grapple with the aftermath of the disaster. While the French government has reported 31 confirmed deaths, NGOs and news reports suggest the actual number could be much higher, as many bodies may have been buried hastily due to religious customs before they could be accounted for.
The cyclone also affected the southern African mainland, resulting in reported deaths of at least 94 individuals in Mozambique and 13 in Malawi. The government anticipates the reconstruction of Mayotte will be addressed with new legislation expected to be introduced as early as January. Survivors have voiced their anger over the slow response to the disaster and the distribution of aid. Some Mayotte residents expressed their frustration by heckling President Emmanuel Macron during his recent visit to assess the damage firsthand.
During his helicopter tour of the island, Macron faced vocal criticism from locals who demanded immediate action and resources to aid recovery. He responded, declaring, "I had nothing to do with the cyclone. You can blame me, but it wasn't me." His comments highlighted the frustrations of the population, which was already one of the poorest regions of France prior to the cyclone.
Estelle Youssouffa, a lawmaker from Mayotte, has criticized the French government for potentially making announcements about the reconstruction on the day of mourning, arguing this would disrespect the grieving process of the locals, adding to the sense of humiliation among them. She expressed her concern over the perceived insensitivity from the Mainland government officials.
Currently, more than 100,000 people are living in shelters provided by the Red Cross after their homes were destroyed. The delays and inadequate supplies of clean water have ignited protests on the island. Although Acting Minister of Overseas Territories François-Noël Buffet maintained, "We have water, particularly bottled water, we have a problem with distribution," residents are still struggling to survive.
Cyclone Chido's destruction has raised serious questions about France's disaster preparedness and emergency response, especially as Mayotte continues to recover from this human catastrophe. Aid organizations are striving to provide much-needed assistance to the beleaguered population as they face what many are calling the worst natural disaster in French history.
Across France, citizens of varying demographics engaged in their own moments of solidarity. Memorials were set up across cities, including Paris, Marseille, and Lyon, inviting people to share their condolences and support for those affected. Each act, big or small, contributes to the collective effort of healing and rebuilding for Mayotte as the nation values remembrance and compassion.
This day of mourning not only honors the lives lost but also shines light on the substantial challenges faced by Mayotte, calling for urgent attention to aid and rebuild the affected regions of the island.
