At this stage, the official toll stands at 22 confirmed deaths and 1,373 injured. The authorities fear “several hundred” dead, maybe even “a few thousand” in this poorest territory and department in France. While the majority of the population has been affected, the vital needs of the inhabitants, starting with the supply of water and food, are the priority. According to the Interior Ministry, 50% of running water should be restored within 48 hours. The needs are immense.
Human and material reinforcements have already been dispatched, including 1,500 civilian and military personnel, including 400 gendarmes, and 13 planes. 20 tonnes of material are being transported, according to the French Red Cross.
In this context, several cities have decided to contribute to the solidarity effort.
In Seine-Saint-Denis, Épinay-sur-Seine and Noisy-le-Sec have already announced that they are offering an exceptional subsidy to victim support associations at their next municipal council meeting. “At present, everything suggests the emergence of a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented magnitude in a French department. All networks are affected: water, electricity, telephone, roads, etc. In this context, the support and solidarity of communities towards the people are essential. Our municipality is not exempt. We will therefore propose at the next municipal council meeting in January an exceptional subsidy donated to an association in order to help all affected populations, particularly the most vulnerable. thus motivates Olivier Sarrabeyrouse, mayor of Noisy-le-Sec.
Hervé Chevreau, mayor of Épinay-sur-Seine, for his part proposed a donation of 20,000 euros to help the victims of Mayotte, which will be debated at the municipal council this Thursday, December 19. “Our city has always stood in solidarity with the victims of this type of event, as dramatic as it is unpredictable, and we will therefore be present in the face of the distress of our fellow citizens,” defends the mayor.
Ile-de-France votes 500,000 euros in aid
The Ile-de-France regional council, for its part, voted for emergency aid of 500,000 euros, for the benefit of the Red Cross. She “will make it possible to transport not only human and material resources, but also to deploy a modular hospital and water purification stations”, details the region.
Some useful links to make a donation to the associations involved in Mayotte
Several associations present in Mayotte have launched calls for specific donations, like those below. Note that the government announced a tax exemption at an exceptionally increased rate of 75% within the limit of 1,000 euros, “for the benefit of associations and foundations recognized as being of public utility working on site to provide free meals to people in difficulty, to promote their housing, including through the reconstruction of residential premises made uninhabitable, or to provide care to people in difficulty, following Cyclone Chido.”
