A week after the devastating passage of Cyclone Chido in Mayotte, communities, associations and individuals are getting involved. A real outpouring of solidarity from the archipelago of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. No less than 42,000 euros released by the communities, to which are added donations from associations and a collection organized at the initiative of local residents
There are almost 12,000 kilometers that separate the two archipelagos. One in the North Atlantic, the other in the Indian Ocean. And this distance does not stop the momentum of solidarity which is taking place in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon.
“How can we do it? We would like to help you. What do you need?“Hachime and Sony have heard these questions many times since the cyclone hit their native island.”Many want to contribute and help Mayotte rebuild, and despite the distance that separates us and the scale of the organization, we said to ourselves that we had to do something, even if we would like to be there…” confides Hachime.
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The two friends then set out and organize a collection. You have to think about everything, “we need everything” says Hachime. There are the children, who will need supplies, even if a school resumption date is still unknown. Clothes, shoes…for everyone. Diapers for infants, health products hygiene for women.You need everything, everything you can give. There are no small or large donations, every donation will help” Hachime concludes.
On the food side, the two men questioned themselves a lot. The uncertainty of delivery times initially worried them. But they finally decided to open the collection to food as well. Dry foods only and canned goods.
In the archipelago of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, collecting will be easy. What will be more complicated is sending. “Steps are underway to organize the sending of packages, but we are looking for help to find the best solution for delivery. Hachime tells us, before adding “and then we will need boxes, lots of boxes to pack all the donations…”.
We have a lot of uncertainty about the delivery method, but we will do everything to ensure that the donations are sent as quickly as possible.
A few days before Christmas, Hachime thinks of the children. “Even gifts for children, after all, it's Christmas for everyone, even if it's not a religious holiday for us, we give each other gifts, especially to children“Hachime and Sony know that there is no certainty as to how long it will take to send the packages,”but even if it happens in 2, 3 or even 6 months, it is never too late to put a little balm in the hearts of these children who have been through hell“.
Today there is no visibility on when and how everything will be transported to Mayotte, but Hachime and Sony, encouraged by the requests from the inhabitants of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon to help, are ready to find all the solutions.
The collection planned in Saint-Pierre will be relayed to Miquelon thanks to the ASM – Association Sportive Miquelonnaise. The Lions Avenir Club of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon is locally relaying the call for donations launched by the Lions Club of France. The local branch of the Rotary Club supports Mayotte via a one-off donation and adds to this the entire amount collected as part of its sale of Christmas baubles and the Doyen Lions Club of the archipelago also showed solidarity by offering an exceptional donation to the “Fondation de France” association. It is difficult to make an exhaustive list of the support provided, as the brands of solidarity are numerous and increasing day by day.
For their part, the communities are committed to supporting Mayotte. The town hall of Saint-Pierre provides support of 10,000 euros, the town hall of Miquelon-Langlade 2,000 euros and the local authority supports the affected overseas department to the tune of 30,000 euros.
