French aid has begun arriving in Mayotte after Cyclone Chido, the most powerful storm to hit the island in nearly a century, slammed into the French overseas territory with winds exceeding 200 km/h (124 mph). Emergency workers are racing against time to restore basic services as fears grow that the death toll could reach hundreds or even thousands.
Maritime and aerial operations are underway to transport relief supplies and equipment. Nicolas Daragon, France’s minister for everyday security, announced on social media platform X: “The first intervention planes arrive in Mayotte to provide emergency aid in the face of the damage caused by the cyclone. The State is fully mobilized to support the inhabitants of Mayotte in this ordeal.”
The full extent of the devastation remains unclear, but images from local media show widespread destruction: makeshift houses reduced to rubble, coconut trees toppled onto roofs, and flooded hospital corridors. One resident described the scene as resembling a nuclear apocalypse.
Authorities have established an air bridge between Mayotte and Réunion Island to facilitate the delivery of aid. Sebastien Lecornu, the French minister of the armed forces, stated that emergency accommodations capable of housing 150 people are on site, with more on the way. Military rations and generators are also being provided to support those affected.
Located between Madagascar and Mozambique, Mayotte faces longstanding challenges, including poverty and social unrest. The island is a destination for undocumented immigrants from nearby Comoros. As the community grapples with the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, international support is crucial to aid recovery efforts.
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French military aid starts to arrive in cyclone-battered Mayotte
cgtn.com
