After Cyclone Chido devastated Mayotte, residents of the island have faced an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Located a three-hour flight from Réunion Island, Mayotte was hit hard by one of the worst storms in its history, leaving a landscape of devastation and destruction. Local authorities fear that hundreds, if not thousands, may have lost their lives in this natural disaster.
In the face of this tragedy, solidarity has been on the rise. In Saint-Denis, on Réunion Island, a wave of generosity has emerged, with residents bringing food, water, clothing and other aid to a community centre with the aim of sending a container full of humanitarian aid by military plane to Mayotte.
Among the volunteers is Anrafa Parassouramin, whose family lives in Mayotte. It highlights the urgency of distributing food and drinking water to the victims, as the risk of spreading diseases increases due to the shortage of drinking water. Despite the tragedy, the spirit of solidarity and mutual aid between families is crucial in rebuilding the community.
However, the extent of the damage has yet to be assessed in many parts of the island, due to the inaccessibility of the affected areas. Criticism is also levelled at the French government, accused of neglecting Mayotte and of not having taken the necessary measures to protect the island from extreme weather events linked to climate change.
This humanitarian crisis thus reveals the urgent need for collective awareness of the vulnerability of island territories to climate change. It also highlights the importance of solidarity and mutual aid between communities in times of crisis. It is imperative that governments take preventive measures to protect the populations most exposed to natural disasters, and that international solidarity continues to play its role in responding to humanitarian emergencies.