Mayotte to the cyclone: cleaning up, deaths still unknown

Mayotte to the cyclone: cleaning up, deaths still unknown

Mamoudzou, Mayotte - The authorities in the French overseas area Mayotte were only able to confirm 31 fatalities of the Cyclone Chido by Wednesday, more than four days after the island archipelago moved through the island archipelago in the Indian Ocean, chaos and possibly demanded thousands of human life.

The effects of the cyclone on Mayotte

Mayotte, the poorest overseas area in France, houses many undocumented migrants whose misery was devastated by the storm. Numerous areas are still inaccessible, which makes the already difficult task of recording dead and destruction more difficult.

auxiliary measures and first reports

The authorities in Mayotte intensify the auxiliary operations and plan to distribute 120 tons of food on Wednesday. The supply comes via an air bridge from the French island of Réunion. Local civil servants and health workers report that hundreds or even thousands of people from the worst storm who have hit the archipelago for 90 years may be affected.

death and injured

In addition to the 31 confirmed fatalities, the local prefecture stated that 1,373 people suffered minor injuries. However, a complete record of the dead and injuries will take time. Bruno Retailleau, the incumbent Interior Minister, told BFMTV: "I cannot call any deaths because I don't know. I am afraid that the number of victims will be too high."

The challenges of the count

Some victims were immediately buried according to Muslim Tradition before their deaths could be recorded. The situation is also complicated by uncertainties regarding Mayotte's exact population. Official statistics speak of 321,000 inhabitants, but many believe that the actual number is much higher due to undocumented immigration, mainly from the comors and Madagascar.

cleaning up in the capital Mamoudzou

In the capital Mamoudzou, the residents searched the debris where their emergency accommodation once stood. Others screwed metal plates together to cover the damaged roofs of the houses that had survived the storm. Tree branches that resisted the 200 km/h (124 MPH) stormy winds were hung with clothing that was thrown up by the cyclone.

The situation in Africa and support from Europe

The death figures in Africa rose to 45 in Mozambique and 13 in Malawi on Wednesday after the storm had moved to the mainland. Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, informed the European Parliament that France had activated the EU civil protection mechanism that can mobilize the support of other countries.

The votes of those affected

Retailleau reported that two gendarmes were violated during the night during an outcome lock that was arranged after reporting on looting. Nizar Assani, who runs a real estate business in Mamoudzou, told about a death in his home community because there was no electricity to operate a fan. He appealed to President Emmanuel Macron: "We don't need a declaration of love. We need gestures of love."

water supply and humanitarian crisis

Many households have no access to running water. In the few places where water is available, people stood in line to fill their canisters and buckets. The Prefect Prefect's Official Journal announced that half of the population should have access to running water by Wednesday evening.

claims for support and political responsibility

Three out of four people live in Mayotte below the national poverty border. Although Mayotte exports vanilla, coffee and cinnamon, the region is heavily dependent on the support from the French mother country and attracts comparatively few tourists. One of the ferry connections between the two main islands was resumed on Wednesday for civilians, which enabled some of those affected by the storm disaster to return to their families.

appeal by Pope Francis

During his weekly audience in the Vatican, Pope Francis asked God to grant the deceased calm and to provide the needy the necessary help. In France, opposition figures had criticized Mayott's neglect and the inability of the government to prepare for natural disasters. The concern about immigration and inflation has led to the overseas area becoming a stronghold of the French extreme rights.