Death Toll from Cyclone “Chido” in French Mayotte Rises to 39

The death toll from Cyclone “Chido” in the Mayotte archipelago has risen to 39, approximately ten days after the French island in the Indian Ocean was struck by the devastating natural disaster.

• Mayotte Declared a Disaster Zone Due to Cyclone “Chido”

• Mayotte: A French Island Devastated by Poverty before Cyclone “Chido”

Cyclone “Chido” caused extensive destruction in Mayotte, a small French archipelago off the east coast of Africa. According to Reuters, authorities estimate that thousands of people may have lost their lives due to the cyclone.

Efforts to accurately count the victims face challenges, primarily due to quick burials required by religious practices and the likelihood that many victims were undocumented migrants.

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Delays in aid delivery, especially the provision of clean water—an issue that had already caused dissatisfaction before the disaster—have further angered residents of Mayotte, the poorest French overseas territory located between Madagascar and Mozambique.

Mohamed Abdou, a doctor in Pamandzi, described the national day of mourning in France as a “political ploy,” citing “historical neglect of infrastructure, electricity, and unequal aid distribution.” Other residents jeered at President Emmanuel Macron during his visit last week.

• Hundreds of Dead from Cyclone “Chido” in the French Archipelago of Mayotte 

• Fears of Cholera Resurgence in French Mayotte: Migrants Fear Arrest

French Overseas Minister François-Noël Buffet recently announced the activation of the “exceptional natural disaster” status for Mayotte to speed up the crisis response and address the damages caused by Cyclone “Chido.”

This measure, introduced specifically to meet the needs of overseas territories, was implemented for the first time in Mayotte. It aims to enhance the capacity of local and national authorities to respond swiftly to the crisis, including by simplifying administrative procedures, ensuring more effective support for the island’s residents.

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Elsewhere, the cyclone also caused significant loss of life. In Mozambique, 94 people were reported dead when the cyclone struck the African mainland, while neighboring Malawi reported 13 fatalities.