the reinforced airlift between Reunion and Mayotte with two Dash 8s engaged

In Reunion, solidarity continues to be organized. To help the Mahorais victims of the passage of Cyclone Chido, a solidarity march was organized this morning in the streets of the capital.

At the same time, the airlift continues to intensify with the entry into service, this Saturday morning, of two civil security Dash 8s. The aircraft left Pierrefonds airport shortly before 8 a.m.

As a reminder, a first Dash 8 had already been sent to Mayotte on Friday December 13.

Watch the report from Réunion La 1ère:

Cyclone Chido: a 2nd Civil Security Dash left Pierrefonds airport this morning

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©Reunion the 1st

This morning, 45 rescuers boarded Pierrefonds airport to go to Mayotte. Among them, civil security soldiers, doctors, anesthetists and firefighters.

Sara Beilla, firefighter from Gard, begins her first mission today. “We are trained, we are ready to carry out our mission”assures the young woman.

This mission consists of “set up a field hospital and bring aid to the local population”, she explains.

The objective is to erect and operate the field hospital announced in Emmanuel Macron's battle plan for the reconstruction of Mayotte. On Perfume Island, urgency is essential. Moreover, the President of the Republic left promising to “rebuild Mayotte”.

The field hospital transported to Mayotte by very large carriers arrived yesterday on the island devastated by Cyclone Chido. It will accommodate around a hundred patients and should provide around fifty beds. The goal is to help the Mayotte Hospital Center (CHM).

A whole bunch of things have to be put in place, including security and logistics. It's very heavy, as they have nothing there, we shouldn't be a burden for them. We need to get there and start doing things as quickly as possible.

Christophe Hiebler, deputy head SDIS of Gard

We are going to set up our field hospital not very far from the CHM to be able to relieve them and take part of the flow of patients they are currently caring for. It is a field hospital with emergency services, intensive care, a small laboratory, radiology and two operating theaters to treat most pathologies.

Dr Anthony Couret, main doctor of the 7th instruction and intervention company of Brignoles civil security

The two Dash 8s also carry drinking water and equipment in their hold. “Since last Sunday, Pierrefonds airport has been ramping up again with extended schedules, with the reception of Evasan planes and the reception of the second Dash since Tuesday evening. Since this morning, we have been departing Air planes Austral and freight too”underlines Sébastien Rivas, director of Pierrefonds airport.

The sweep of rotations between Pierrefonds and Mayotte is only just beginning. 45 other rescuers should quickly join the teams already on site. Additional reinforcements are also expected on Seahorse Island.