“Initially, it is the State which will manage the emergency situation, but the difficulties will persist well after. It is for the long term that we must register.” The president of the Union of Overseas Territories Philippe Sainte-Luce does not want to rush. The Union of Dom-Tom brings together associations of overseas territories including Vannes Ylang, which brings together Vannes residents of Mahorese origin.
A community necessarily on the lookout for information on what is happening in Mayotte since the passage of Cyclone Chido, which caused devastation on the island. Most have family there. Their first instinct was to check on their loved ones. “It’s very complicated, because I wasn’t able to have my parents and my two sisters live because of communication difficulties. An acquaintance told me that they were doing well,” explains Cheki Ahamed Moussa, the treasurer of Vannes Ylang.
“Hurrying is counterproductive”
For El Habib Oili, former president of the Mahoraise association, it was from a cousin that he received reassuring news from his loved ones. “I was very worried because I couldn’t contact my father who is quite old. There is no network. But he’s apparently doing well. He had damage to his house, his car, but it was only material. On the other hand, I have no news from part of my family who lives in a landlocked area in the north of Mayotte.”
More than a hundred Mahorais families live in Vannes. Within the community, the idea of organizing aid is gaining ground, but in what way, the question is not resolved. “Who to help and how? All families need help,” continues El Habib Oili. The Union of Dom-Tom will be in the loop. Discussions were held with Latifa Bakhtous, the deputy mayor in charge of participatory democracy.
“We see what we can put in place,” explains Philippe Sainte-Luce. “From experience, I know that you shouldn’t go too quickly. Several years ago, we did a collection after an earthquake in Haiti. We had collected a lot of stuff, but it took a long time to arrive on site. Rushing is counterproductive. »
