a “dramatic situation” which raises fears of a “heavy toll”

The French Red Cross sent reinforcements of personnel to Mayotte from Reunion and France just before confinement, the humanitarian aid association said in a press release, fearing “immense needs” and prepositioning reserves of drinking water and food on site.

The situation suggests severe water supply difficulties in an archipelago already subject to cuts.

For its part, Secours populaire launched an appeal for donations to help Mayotte.

An A400M plane was due to take off yesterday evening from mainland France with humanitarian cargo and civil security resources, accompanied by a frigate and a helicopter.