** reconstruction of Mayotte: a multidimensional crisis beyond cyclones **
In the wake of Cyclone Chido, which devastated Mayotte last December, the question of the reconstruction of this French island of the Comoros archipelago is more pressing than ever. The director of the Social Union for Overseas Housing (USHOM), Sabrina Mathiot, recently expressed legitimate concerns on the application of existing laws for effective and lasting reconstruction. This problem actually reveals more complex issues, mixing town planning, social justice and political will.
### The consequences of a structural vulnerability
The devastating passage of the cyclone highlighted not only the material damage, but also the structural precariousness of many dwellings in Mayotte. About fifty thousand constructions were damaged, and a large part of them were already weakened by a lack of maintenance and regulation. According to the latest INSEE report, more than 50 % of the accommodation in Mayotte is considered to be in unhealthiness. This reality, translating an intrinsic vulnerability, questions the approach adopted so far by the State to improve the living conditions of the Mahorais.
By analyzing the statistical situation, we see that Mayotte has a poverty rate greater than 30 %, making it one of the most disadvantaged French departments. This figure highlights a glaring inequality compared to other French territories, where resources are better distributed. Post-cyclonic reconstruction must therefore not be limited to buildings constructions; It must also be accompanied by a real integrative social and economic project.
### Comparison with other overseas territories
The question of the resilience of ultramarine territories is not new. Let us take the example of Martinique, which experienced the devastation of Cyclone Maria in 2017. That day, the island suffered a shock not only intangible, but also on that of its governance. However, in the years that followed, Martinique set up a robust regulatory framework which favored sustainable construction, supported by financial incentive programs to the renovation of existing housing.
In Mayotte, the laws exist to supervise reconstruction, but their application remains unequal and often hampered by the lack of human and financial resources. How to think an effective reconstruction when the basics of sustainable urbanization are not yet in place? Sabrina Mathiot rightly evokes the need to start applying what already exists. The Martinican example shows that it is not only possible, but also essential, to work in synergy with local actors to schematize a real economic and social recovery plan.
### Towards a mobility of governance tools
The reconstruction of Mayotte cannot be dissociated from a broader reflection on the mobility of governance tools. Mayotte’s geographic and demographic specificity calls for a differentiation policy, allowing more reactive crises management. The weakness of transport and logistics infrastructure, often highlighted during extreme climatic events, must lead to a reflection on how aid is distributed and whose reconstruction projects are planned.
It becomes crucial to integrate local know-how into reconstruction strategies and to erect a partnership between the State, local authorities and non-governmental organizations. Beyond the simple infrastructure, it is a real social bond that must be recreated, thus strengthening the resilience of the Mahorais in the face of future crises.
### A call to action
It is imperative that political decision -makers become aware of the urgency of acting. Listening to the voices of experts like Sabrina Mathiot, integrating the lessons learned from other territories, we can consider a reconstruction which is not only physical, but which also builds a fairer and fair future for the inhabitants of Mayotte.
Getting to rebuild Mayotte is also to generate a collective desire in the face of a multi -course challenge. The key lies in learning past failures and the implementation of structures capable of predicting not only which buildings should be rebuilt, but also how these efforts contribute to a more united and resilient society.
Thus, the voice of Sabrina Mathiot resonates like an alert cry but also as an invitation to dream of a Mayotte where each citizen can project himself into a sunny future, far from the crash of cyclones. Reconstruction is an opportunity to forge a stronger identity, claiming that Mayotte is not a simple angle of France, but a unique territory with its own needs and capacities.