In the wake of Cyclone Chido, the worst storm to batter Mayotte in 90 years, the French Indian Ocean territory lies in ruins. The cyclone’s ferocious winds and torrential rains have left a trail of destruction, with hundreds feared dead and critical infrastructure, including health services, severely damaged.
Hospitals Crippled, Rescuers Race Against Time
The cyclone’s impact on Mayotte’s healthcare system has been particularly devastating. According to French Health Minister Geneviève Darrieussecq, the main hospital has suffered extensive water damage and destruction, rendering crucial units like surgery, intensive care, maternity, and emergency services non-operational. Medical centers across the island have also been left in ruins, hampering efforts to provide essential care to the injured and displaced.
As rescuers race against time to reach survivors trapped in the wreckage of shantytowns and collapsed buildings, the true scale of the tragedy is yet to be revealed. Local authorities estimate that the final death toll could reach “close to a thousand or even several thousand,” making Cyclone Chido the deadliest storm to hit Mayotte since 1934.
Mayotte’s Vulnerability Exposed
The cyclone has laid bare the stark inequalities and vulnerabilities of Mayotte, France’s poorest territory. With at least a third of the island’s 320,000 residents living in slums, many were left defenseless against Chido’s 140mph winds. Makeshift homes built from flimsy materials were flattened in an instant, leaving thousands homeless and exposed to the elements.
“The hospital is hit. The schools are hit. Houses are totally devastated.”
Ambdilwahedou Soumaila, Mayor of Mamoudzou
Complicating relief efforts is the significant undocumented migrant population, primarily from the nearby Comoros islands. Fears of deportation have left many hesitant to seek assistance, with some remaining in dangerous conditions until it was too late to escape the cyclone’s wrath.
International Aid Mobilizes
As Mayotte grapples with the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, international aid organizations are mobilizing to support the devastated territory. The French government has dispatched military aircraft and a navy patrol ship to bolster rescue and relief efforts, while the regional Red Cross and the European Union have pledged their support.
“The situation is chaotic. They are cut off from the world… They have nothing to eat. It’s a disaster.”
Ben Ahmada, Logistics Manager with Family in Mayotte
The World Health Organization has also offered assistance, recognizing the urgent need to restore essential healthcare services and prevent the outbreak of disease in the cyclone’s wake.
Climate Crisis Fuels Extreme Weather
Experts point to the climate crisis as a key factor in the increasing frequency and intensity of storms like Cyclone Chido. Warmer ocean temperatures, particularly in the Indian Ocean, have created conditions ripe for the formation of powerful cyclones, putting vulnerable communities at ever-greater risk.
As Mayotte begins the long process of recovery and rebuilding, questions are being raised about the need for more robust disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience in the face of a changing climate. For the survivors of Cyclone Chido, the road ahead is marked by grief, uncertainty, and the daunting task of piecing together lives shattered by nature’s fury.
