On Saturday, Cyclone Chido battered the tiny territory of Mayotte. The storm was the worst cyclone to hit the area in 90 years. France is rushing rescue workers and supplies to the French-governed region. The French military has sent four to five planes per day with up to 50 tons of assistance, including food, water, and medicine. Hundreds of personnel have arrived since the weekend.
The Mayotte Islands, also known simply as Mayotte, consist of two main islands and a number of other small islands in the Indian Ocean. Located between Mozambique and Madagascar in Southeast Africa, Mayotte is one of 13 French-governed territories outside Europe.
Nearly 70% of Mayotte’s population is gravely affected, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble.
The official death toll has risen to 22. Authorities believe many more not yet counted have died. More than 1,400 people sustained injuries, according to a report from Mayotte Hospital.
Officials announced an overnight curfew beginning Tuesday evening in Mayotte. It requires people to stay in their homes between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. each night. Authorities seek to prevent looting of damaged buildings.
“We don’t have electricity. When night falls, there are people who take advantage of that situation,” says Ambdilwahedou Soumaila, mayor of the capital, Mamoudzou. He planned to visit areas hit hardest by the cyclone Tuesday.
Power outages and communication troubles persist. The disruptions left many without basic supplies. The island’s main hospital is severely damaged. A field hospital should arrive Thursday.
Fallout from the hurricane threatens to deepen problems on the French mainland. Less than a week after taking office, French Prime Minister François Bayrou has already come under heavy criticism for his perceived mishandling of the Mayotte emergency.
Bayrou was appointed prime minister by French President Emmanuel Macron last week after a historic parliament vote toppled the previous government. The new prime minister did not travel to Mayotte or attend a crisis meeting in person. Instead, Bayrou opted to chair a town hall meeting in the city of Pau, where he is the mayor. He took part in the crisis meeting via video.
Bayrou responded to criticism by saying that the interior minister was present in Mayotte. He says the two are making decisions together. He insists he is busy trying to form the new French government.
Macron has pledged to visit Mayotte soon and to declare a national mourning period.
In Mayotte, Soumaila tells RFI radio, “The priority today is water and food.”
Pray for the people of Mayotte. Ask God to comfort those who lost loved ones and homes. Ask Him to provide for those who lack basic necessities.
