Mayotte, the paradise island in the Indian Ocean, has suffered the devastating assaults of Cyclone Chido. Three days after the storm passed, the situation remains critical. The material damage is considerable, but beyond the material losses, it is the environment that is facing serious risks.
Two emergencies are necessary following the passage of Chido in Mayotte. The first concerns the restoration of transport networks, essential for delivering aid and relief to the disaster-stricken populations. The second, equally crucial, emergency is the restoration of access to drinking water. Indeed, the risk of seeing the cholera epidemic resurgence, which has been extinct since July, is now unlikely. However, without adequate access to clean water, other diseases such as dysentery could quickly become a danger for the local population.
The images of environmental damage in Mayotte are of a shocking scale. Uprooted trees, ravaged homes, devastated coastline… Nature has suffered heavy losses. Faced with this disaster, environmental awareness is more important than ever. It is imperative to implement preventive measures to limit the impacts of natural disasters in the future.
This tragic episode is a poignant reminder of the fragility of our planet and the urgent need to act to preserve our environment. It is time to place the protection of nature at the heart of our concerns, to rethink our lifestyles and to promote sustainable development. In Mayotte, as elsewhere, reconstruction cannot be fully achieved without collective awareness and concrete actions to preserve our ecosystem.
In these times of crisis, solidarity, awareness and responsible actions are essential to overcome the environmental challenges we face. The future of our planet depends on our choices and our ability to act together to preserve our environment, our most precious asset. Let us think, let us act, let us protect our earth, our one and only home.