Mayotte Devastated by Cyclone Chido: Macron Faces Outrage Amid Crisis

 

In the wake of the destruction caused by Cyclone Chido, the inhabitants of Mayotte expressed their anger and frustration as French President Emmanuel Macron visited the island to assess the damage. The cyclone, which struck on December 14, 2024, has left the island in a state of devastation, with a growing number of casualties and widespread shortages of food, water, and basic necessities.

During his visit, Macron was confronted by distressed residents, many of whom voiced their fears about the lack of security, including the risk of looting. One woman, speaking from the Mamoudzou hospital, told the president, “People are fighting over water,” as emergency teams scrambled to provide aid. Hospital workers, grappling with dwindling supplies, warned that they would soon be unable to care for patients.

Macron promised to do “everything in my power” to provide vital resources, including water, food, and electricity, while vowing to help rebuild the island. His reassurances were met with mixed reactions, ranging from hope to skepticism, with some locals expressing doubts about the government's ability to handle the crisis effectively.

The president’s visit came just days after Paris declared the island an “exceptional natural disaster” zone, with emergency measures put in place. Macron’s plane brought essential supplies, including four tonnes of food and sanitary goods, as well as a team of doctors and civil security personnel. However, widespread frustration was evident, with residents jeering his convoy as it passed long queues for fuel at petrol stations.

Cyclone Chido has left at least 31 people dead, with more than 1,370 injured. However, officials believe the final toll could reach hundreds or even thousands, as bodies remain buried in shallow graves, especially in the island’s vulnerable shantytowns, where flimsy sheet metal roofs offered little protection against the storm. With the island’s population largely unregistered, the death toll is difficult to assess, compounded by a significant number of illegal immigrants from nearby Comoros Islands.

The disaster has sparked a global conversation about the effects of the climate crisis, with meteorologists warning that such storms are becoming increasingly common. In response, the French government has implemented measures to curb inflation, freezing the prices of consumer goods in Mayotte to prevent further hardship. Despite this, local authorities and residents remain deeply concerned about the long-term recovery and the island’s ability to cope with the overwhelming challenges.