Camille and Benjamin Allamargot, two teachers from Bayonne, say they “navigate by sight”. For seven years, this couple in their thirties has lived and worked in Mayotte, in the small town of Tsingoni. He was assigned to high school and she to middle school. “We didn’t want to start our careers in Versailles or Créteil,” explains Camille.
Each year, they only return to mainland France twice. This Thursday, December 12, two days before the arrival of Cyclone Chido, which caused death and chaos on the overseas archipelago, they were on the plane. Direction France.
“We had reserved this ticket for a long time,” continues Camille. When we left, we didn't know that such a cyclone was coming. We left tables and chairs outside, as usual. Others left the next day, without further information. Intense weather phenomena are common in Mayotte. We have never experienced a cyclone of such intensity. »
Now in Bayonne, Camille and Benjamin seek every day to find out and help the Mahorese population, in an “anxiety” and an “uncertainty” reinforced by more than unstable means of communication.
In search of network
“When we have 3 minutes of connection with someone, it’s already huge,” breathes Camille. Joined on December 17 by “Sud Ouest”, the professor nevertheless collected information.
“The deputy principal of the college is alive, as is his wife. However, I don't know what state the establishment is in. This college is one of the newest on the island, unlike Benjamin's high school, which is very old and probably did not withstand the cyclone… At least, a priori. »
The couple hopes their house is not damaged.
DR
The couple's house is still standing according to a neighbor who was “quickly contacted”. “The water may have entered”, nevertheless supposes the Bayonnaise. She deplores “episodic news”, made possible by some Mahorese acquaintances: “Tsingoni is in the bush. Some walked to the capital, Mamoudzou, to have a little network. »
Donations to the peña
Camille and Benjamin, however, know nothing about the health of their students. And their blood runs cold: “70 to 80% of them live in bangas (small corrugated iron houses, Editor’s note). And we know that the slum is completely razed. We have not received any news from the families, nor any communication from the rectorate. » Camille pauses. Then continues: “Our parents don’t understand it, they just tell us that we were lucky, but we would like to be there, to help people. We could host some at our house. The wait is unbearable. »
It is therefore impossible to sit idly by. And the couple transformed the Bayonne peña Sale el sol – of which Benjamin is a member – into a solidarity HQ. From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., members plan to be available 7 days a week, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., to collect as much non-perishable food as possible (1). “We will then try to transport them to Mayotte thanks to the Hippocampe import-export company, from Mahorais based near Bordeaux, in Tresses. »
However, Camille remains pessimistic: “For the moment, only military planes can fly. I hope the food doesn't arrive in two months and that customs won't be a problem. »
“Nothing is happening”
“I managed to speak to a friend from Petite-Terre. His apartment was blown up: he no longer has water or electricity. The heat there is unbearable. When we left, the temperature felt like 38°C. Today it climbed to 40°C. Everyone is wet all the time. And the sanitary conditions are deplorable. Before the cyclone, we only had access to water every other day… So, I can't imagine what it's like today. In addition to global warming, which doesn't help, the water network dates back to Methuselah, the factories are left in limbo and the population continues to increase… Not to mention the embezzlement. »
The sanitary conditions are deplorable. Before the cyclone, we only had access to water every other day… So I can't imagine what it's like today
Fortunately, Camille also receives good news, as evidenced by this brief contact with a Mahorese friend: “She and her baby are safe and sound. That's the main thing. » There remains the accessory, which is not that much: “Watching the continuous news on TV, we have the impression that the State is hyperpresent in Mayotte. But the people there tell us that nothing is happening there. Some are injured and cannot reach the dispensary. Others have not received any food distribution. It's awful. »
(1) The Sale el sol peña is located at 25, rue Vieille-Boucherie, in Bayonne. Donations are collected there from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. every day. More information on 06 66 60 69 99 or 06 24 53 01 74.
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