François Bayrou unveiled the “Mayotte standing” plan, an emergency response to the crisis shaking the 101st French department. Security, economy, infrastructure: the government promises measures “concrete and precise” to put the island back on its feet and respond to decades of structural fragility.
Traveling to Mayotte, François Bayrou presented an emergency plan to respond to the devastating impact of Cyclone Chido, which struck on December 14. This project combines immediate measures and structural reforms aimed at recovering a territory marked by deep socio-economic fragilities.
With announcements affecting education, health, the economy and security, the Prime Minister wants to make the “Mayotte standing” plan a turning point for a department that is running out of steam. What to remember?
Guarantee continuity of care
Faced with the health crisis, worsened by the cyclone, François Bayrou announced the “mobilization of the health reserve of Public Health France” to maintain “continuity of care”.
The government also intends to strengthen local capacities with a new system: a “ sponsorship of the Mayotte hospital by voluntary hospital centers in France”. In addition, around sixty health-rescue teams, including liberal nurses, will intervene “as close as possible to the needs of the population”.
Financial measures will accompany this effort, such as “cash advances” to support hospital staff.
Protect schools and ensure the return to school
François Bayrou unveiled a “vigilance plan”, bringing together the army and the gendarmerie, to secure schools against looting and fires. “We cannot let schools, colleges and high schools be looted every day or worse yet, burned”he declared. This initiative responds to recent acts of vandalism, including the fire of a school used as an emergency accommodation center, denounced by the mayor of Mamoudzou, Ambdilwahedou Soumaila.
The start of the school year, scheduled for January 13, will be gradual, with particular attention to students in exam classes. For families in difficulty, the government offers temporary schooling in France. “ We did it for Ukraine, we can do it for Maorese children,” recalled the new head of government.
On site, the Mahorais estimate that 70 to 75% of teachers have left the archipelago and will not return to provide teaching.
Ban on rebuilding slums
François Bayrou affirmed that the State and local public authorities are committed to “ prevent the reconstruction of slums”, specifying that this ban will be “enshrined in law”.
An “emergency law” will be presented to the Council of Ministers this Friday and will enshrine these measures in law. At the same time, a “ refoundation program law”, developed in consultation with elected officials from Mahor, will be finalized within three months to structure sustainable urban development.
Economic support for reconstruction
To revive the economy, the government will set up an exceptional state-guaranteed loan (PGE). “ These loans will be for 30 years, and the first five years will be free. There will be no reimbursement, there will be €0 per month for the first five years,” explained François Bayrou.
These loans, “assumed by the Banque des Territoires, under exceptional conditions reserved for large-scale natural disasters like Chido”, will allow families and businesses to rebuild their homes and businesses. A specific savings fund will be created by the Caisse des Dépôts to finance medium-term reconstruction projects.
In addition, the State will suspend social security contributions until March 31, 2024 and will offer emergency aid covering 20% of the average turnover of affected companies, capped at €20,000.
The agricultural sector will also benefit from direct support: tarpaulins to protect crops, feed for livestock and simplification of seed import procedures.
Electricity, water and telecommunications
To restore electricity, François Bayrou promised that “ every household will be reconnected by the end of January”. The effort will be coordinated by mayors with the help of 200 EDF agents and 20 technicians. In the meantime, 200 generators supplied by EDF will supply critical areas.
In terms of water, the objective is to return to a production of 38,000 m³ per day before the end of the week, then to reach 40,000 m³ by June 2025. The XIII and XIX engineering regiments will intervene to repair hydraulic networks and restore damaged infrastructure.
To overcome communication difficulties, 200 Starlink antennas, supplied by SpaceX, will be deployed to quickly connect isolated areas and strengthen digital capabilities.
Mayotte airport will reopen to commercial flights from 1is January. Repatriations will begin this Tuesday for residents stranded outside France.
A public establishment for “refound” Mayotte
To manage these efforts, a public refoundation establishment, inspired by that of Notre-Dame de Paris, will be created. “A personality will be appointed at its head,” said the Prime Minister.
A general population census will be organized to establish a precise diagnosis. “It will be a truth operation which will allow us to resolve ambiguities”, he explained, stressing that this work is essential to adapt infrastructure and services to real needs.
“This plan is a response to the concerns expressed by elected officials”said François Bayrou. But for the people of Mahor, faced with often unfulfilled promises, the success of “Mayotte standing” will depend on its concrete implementation.
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