MAMOUDZOU, Mayotte — One week after Cyclone Chido unleashed its fury on Mayotte, France’s poorest Indian Ocean territory is struggling to recover, with hospitals overwhelmed, neighborhoods destroyed, and survivors pleading for urgent assistance.
The powerful storm, which brought winds of up to 220 kph (136 mph), left 35 people confirmed dead as of Friday.
However, French Health Minister Geneviève Darrieussecq warned the true toll could be far higher, with many fatalities unaccounted for amid widespread devastation and a fearful migrant population avoiding shelters.
At the main hospital in Mamoudzou, the storm’s damage forced doctors to triage patients while working under dire conditions.
“We lost 40% of patient rooms, about 50 to 60 beds,” said Dr. Roger Serhal, obstetrics chief, who delivered three babies, including one by cesarean, as the cyclone raged.
Clean water and electricity remain scarce, heightening fears of outbreaks of diseases like cholera.
“Patients are coming because their illnesses are untreated, there’s no water, and no electricity,” said Dr. Vincent Gilles, the hospital’s emergency director.
Among the injured is Saindou Mohamadi, 54, who lost his home and now faces the daunting task of supporting his family of six.
“I want the government to care about us, to give us food and a place to sleep,” he said.
The densely populated archipelago, home to over 320,000 residents and an estimated 100,000 migrants, was ill-prepared for a disaster of this scale due to years of systemic neglect and underinvestment.
Around 75% of Mayotte’s population lives in poverty, and the cyclone has compounded their challenges.
Efforts to provide emergency aid, including airlifts of food and water, are underway, but logistical issues persist as the island’s airport remains closed to civilian flights.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who visited the island on Friday, pledged to rebuild and address long-standing issues but faced criticism for the slow pace of relief efforts.
The French Interior Ministry estimated that 70% of Mayotte’s population has been gravely affected by the storm, leaving many homeless and vulnerable. — Agencies