Mayotte: Cyclone Chido devastation
Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean, has been ravaged by Cyclone Chido, the strongest storm to hit the region in 90 years. With winds exceeding 225 km/h (140 mph), the cyclone caused widespread devastation, leaving much of the island without basic resources. The cyclone particularly devastated impoverished communities, flattening slums built from fragile materials. At least 20 people have been confirmed dead, but officials fear the death toll could climb into the thousands as rescuers search through the rubble.
Over 85% of Mayotte remains without power, and only 20% of phones are operational. Emergency supplies are trickling in, but significant shortages of food, water, and shelter persist. The damage to key infrastructure, including roads, power lines, and water treatment plants, is hampering rescue and relief efforts. Many residents, already struggling with poverty, face hunger and thirst as they wait for aid.
Mayotte’s unique challenges complicate recovery efforts. The island is home to over 100,000 undocumented migrants, making it difficult to account for the missing or dead. The Muslim tradition of burying the deceased within 24 hours adds further complications to documenting fatalities.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, along with military and Red Cross personnel, has deployed reinforcements to assist with rescue operations. Despite these efforts, the scale of the destruction is overwhelming. As one resident described, “You feel like you are in the aftermath of a nuclear war.”
Cyclone Chido also impacted neighboring Mozambique, bringing flash floods, structural damage, and power outages. Aid organizations, including UNICEF, have raised concerns about access to clean water, medical care, and the spread of diseases like cholera and malaria in affected areas.
This disaster underscores the vulnerability of impoverished communities to extreme weather events, which are intensifying due to climate change. Recovery will be a long and arduous process for Mayotte and its neighbors.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we pray for strength and provision for the people of Mayotte and Mozambique. Bring healing, relief, and restoration to those affected. Amen.
Bible Verse
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18
