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Cyclone Chido, which struck Mayotte on Saturday, December 14, is the most violent the archipelago has experienced in 90 years. Wind gusts reaching up to 220 km/h devastated the island, along with its public water, electricity, and health services. The bangas—informal settlements where a significant part of the population lives—have been obliterated. In this dire situation, an initial report mentions 20 fatalities ¹, but local authorities anticipate a much higher human toll, potentially in the thousands.
SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL, present in Mayotte since 2022 to address the water crisis, is witnessing with dismay the massive destruction of housing in the areas where it operates. The teams we have been able to contact, despite the network cuts, are doing well given the circumstances. Still reeling from the sudden loss of their belongings and, for some, their homes, they are working tirelessly to provide an indiscriminate emergency response, prioritizing secure access to water.
The NGO is doing everything possible to send reinforcements and equipment as soon as possible. This complements the efforts of the French state, which is deploying emergency aid, including the establishment of air and sea bridges from Réunion island and mainland France. The first ships are on their way, and military planes have already landed at Dzaoudzi-Pamandzi Airport.
While the immediate priority is to assist the population in great distress, the health consequences of the cyclone are also a major concern. “The massive destruction of infrastructure significantly increases the risk of waterborne diseases like cholera,” warns Philippe Bonnet, Emergency Director at SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL. “To prevent epidemics, it is crucial that the population has access to safe drinking water for drinking, washing, and cooking.”. The NGO, long committed to fighting these diseases, plans to intensify its efforts to prevent a major health crisis.
In the face of this exceptional catastrophe, SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL is launching a fundraising appeal to urgently support those suffering from the cyclone’s devastation: https://dons.solidarites.org/b?cid=611&reserved_campaign_code=24UW6DZ003
Press contact :
Spokespeople are available in French and English.
Claire Morand / +33 7 85 42 56 99 / +33 1 76 21 87 87
cmorand@solidarites.org Or presse@solidarites.org
Website : solidarites.org/fr/
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