In Marseille, food and clothing collections were carried out to help the victims of Mayotte after the passage of Cyclone Chido.
Ben Yamin Halifa is busy sorting and packaging clothing donations for Mayotte. “Another year ago”, this young Mahorais lived on the devastated archipelago since the passage of Cyclone Chido on Saturday December 14. He now lives in Marseille and wanted to participate in the solidarity initiative organized by several associations at the Maison du Partager, rue de Strasbourg (13th arrondissement).
“It’s close to my heart to do it for people who need it,” he explains.
“I know how things are pretty much there. There are basic people who have nothing” and with the cyclone “everyone has lost everything, it’s going to be complicated for them (…) If people can come and help, things can move forward more quickly,” said the young man.
It is also possible to drop off foodstuffs with the Familles en action association at 33 rue de Crimée (3rd arrondissement).
“A massive call for water packs”
Since Tuesday, December 17, volunteers from the Maison du Partager have been filling dozens of boxes with cans of food, pasta and even dry products donated by people from Marseillais to help disaster victims. But what is especially lacking today is water, because that of the current network is not drinkable on the archipelago.
“It’s certain that if there are medicines, products for babies, but there is no water, it’s complicated. So, I’m making a massive appeal to receive packs water,” explains another volunteer.
For its part, the Marseille town hall announced initial emergency aid of 50,000 euros, the dispatch of two doctors and a nurse from the marine fire brigade. In addition, 17 additional personnel within the marine firefighters were placed on alert, as were intervention vehicles.
Léa Nicosia with Glenn Gillet
