The island of Mayotte, located in the Indian Ocean, was severely affected by the devastating passage of Cyclone Chido. The consequences of this natural disaster were dramatic, with significant material and human damage. Two days after the storm, communication with Mayotte remains extremely disrupted, causing growing concern among those desperately trying to reach their loved ones on the island.
The Comorian community, present in large numbers in Mayotte, Marseille and Madagascar, is particularly concerned. The means of communication, essential for informing and reassuring families, are seriously compromised. The damage to the telecommunications network, with a large number of antennas out of service and an almost total disconnection of users of the fixed internet network, has made communications extremely difficult, if not impossible.
In Marseille, the cradle of the Comorian diaspora in France, the anxiety is palpable. Mohamed Itrisso, president of the Comorian association Ushababi, testifies to the difficulty of reaching relatives in Mayotte. Solidarity is being organized in the northern districts of the Phocaean city, but the lack of news deeply concerns all Comorian families scattered across the world.
In Madagascar, Soilihi Ali Mansour, president of the Comorian students’ association on the big island, shares the same feeling of helplessness. The incessant attempts to contact his relatives who remained in Mayotte are in vain, plunging his family into deep uncertainty. The images of desolation and devastation that come from the island only increase the worry and the urgent need for communication.
In these times of crisis, the repair of mobile phone networks has become a priority, just like water and electricity. It is crucial to restore means of communication as quickly as possible to allow families to reassure each other and to coordinate relief and reconstruction operations.
Solidarity and mutual aid are essential values in these tragic circumstances. It is essential that the authorities put in place effective aid and support measures to help the people of Mayotte and all those affected by the disaster. Restoring means of communication is a first step towards the reconstruction and healing of this community devastated by Cyclone Chido.