An intense tropical cyclone episodenamed “Chido”, violently hit Mayotte on Saturday December 14, 2024.
This disaster of exceptional intensitynever measured since 1934, left the archipelago devastated despite safeguard measures put in place by the prefect of Mayotte before the passage of the cyclone.
A day of national mourning was held on Monday December 23, 2024, marked by a minute of silence in tribute to the victims of the cyclone.
All public infrastructure has been affectedand the precarious habitat completely destroyed.
On January 11 and 12, 2025, the island of Mayotte was also hit by storm Dikeledi.
Emergency Mayotte – I am looking for a loved one
The search for victims and missing people is an absolute priority for the authorities. Call 09 70 80 90 40 to contact the public information unit, open 24 hours a day, or go to the Red Cross platform.
Consult the Red Cross platform
Follow the evolution of the situation in Mayotte:
An interministerial crisis unitchaired by the Prime Minister, was activated on December 14.
State of natural disaster was activated, like that of exceptional natural calamity. The latter, which had never been used before, must enable more rapid and effective management of the crisis and facilitate the implementation of emergency measures.
Mobilized without delay, the State hired numerous reinforcements and means to respond to the emergency. In total, more than 4,000 personnel from Civil Security, the National Police, the National Gendarmerie and the Armed Forces are present in Mayotte to help the population and ensure public order.
An air and sea bridge has been operational since December 15 between Mayotte and Reunion Island to transport food, personnel and equipment. Commercial flights have resumed since January 1, 2025 at Marcel Henry airport in Mayotte.
Although public services have been damaged, state continuity is ensured thanks to the action of agents on the ground.
Restore daily life
Immediate measures include key areas to restore daily life.
Electricity
- 95.6% of customers are today powered by electricity.
- 76 of the 78 sites of the Société Mahoraise des Eaux are replenished with electricity.
Drinking water
- The water production capacity was completely recovered since the storm: 38,000 m3/day and a coverage rate of 90%.
- Safety instructions for the population : check the quality of the water before consuming it as well as the food in the refrigerator, following the instructions of the Regional Health Agency.
Telecommunications
- 14 out of 17 municipalities are equipped by the prefecture of Starlink means of communication.
- 92% of mobile network subscribers are covered.
Accommodation
- An emergency plan has been launched for the waterproofing of public buildings and homes. State-guaranteed loans will be made available to Mahorese families with subsidized interest rates over five years and blocking of the amortization rate of this loan.
- 100,000 m2 of tarpaulins have been distributed since January 7.
Economy
A set of emergency measures has been put in place to deal with economic consequences of the passage of the cyclone.
- The State thus supervises sales pricesin particular water, import margins and all stages of distribution of certain products in Mayotte, until June 18, 2025.
- Measurements of economic support for businesses are also established. More information is available on 0 805 320 011 (toll-free number).
- The prefect of Mayotte has allocated extreme emergency relief credits in order to to help the victims financially finding themselves in a situation of great difficulty (aid reserved for individuals of 300 euros per person).
Education
In order to organize the return of students to schools and establishments on January 27, the start of the school year for administrative and teaching staff took place on Monday January 20. Staff will be required to develop a plan for resuming school activities which will be communicated to families no later than January 24.
The arrangements for welcoming students will be established by the educational teams, school heads and primary school national education inspectors, to allow the resumption of learning in the best possible conditions.
The terms and conditions will be adapted to each school and at each establishment in order to guarantee educational continuity by:
- student rotation systems in classes,
- educational resources made available by the ministry, Cned, Réseau Canopé and Lumni Enseignement,
- courses broadcast on the Mayotte La Première channel.
Students will also benefit from a psychological support in order to be supported in their return to learning.
-Supply kits will be provided to students thanks to orders from the Ministry of National Education and donations from the Groupement Mousquetaires and the Libraries Without Borders Association.
Health
- Nearly 4,000 patients welcomed within ESCRIM, the field hospital armed by Civil Securitywhich has been operational again since January 15.
- The Mamoudzou hospital is 75% operational (50% for the maternity ward).
- Nearly 30,000 contacts between rescuers and the population made as part of the “go-to” missions.
Rebuilding Mayotte with “Mayotte standing”
Announced by the Prime Minister in Mayotte on December 30, an emergency bill was detailed in the Council of Ministers on January 8, 2025.
This text must allow very rapid implementation of urgent measures to facilitate accommodation and support for the population, as well as the reconstruction or repair of damaged infrastructure and housing.
It allows the Government to legislate by ordinance in the defined areas. It includes 22 articles divided into seven chapters, including three authorizations to legislate by ordinance.
Chapter I – dedicated public establishment
Chapter I provides for the establishment of a dedicated public establishment to the reconstruction of Mayotte, as was the case for that of Notre-Dame Cathedral. It also allows the State, until December 31, 2027, to ensure project management of the construction or reconstruction of municipal public schools in Mayotte.
Chapter II – town planning rules
Chapter II adapts them town planning rules to facilitate the rapid establishment of temporary emergency accommodation for disaster victims.
Chapter III – reconstruction
Chapter III aims to facilitate the reconstruction of destroyed buildings. It plans, for example, to speed up the processing of planning permission applications by dividing certain deadlines by two or three.
Chapter IV – expropriation
Chapter IV plans to adapt the rules relating to expropriation for reasons of public utilityin order to facilitate construction and rehousing operations in a context where it is often difficult to formally identify land owners.
Chapter V – public procurement
Chapter V provides for adaptations and exemptions, for 24 months, to public procurement rulesto simplify and speed up procedures.
Chapter VI – donations
Chapter VI includes measures to facilitate donations in favor of Mayotte. Thus, it notably plans to increase the tax reduction rate to 75% for donations to associations and foundations providing meals or care or promoting the rehousing of people in difficulty.
Chapter VII – social measures
Chapter VII brings together different social measures in favor of the population in Mayotte, for the most part applicable until March 31.
This Ioi project was adopted by the Economic Affairs Committee of the National Assembly and examined by the deputies in public session on January 20.
Over the coming weeks, the Government will consult all the stakeholders concerned to move forward on a bill programwith structural measures to rebuild Mayotte.
This text should be presented to Parliament within three months.
Copy to clipboard
Copied!
Learn more about state mobilization to help the population
Related News :