It is ” the most serious natural disaster in the history of France for several centuries », declared Prime Minister François Bayrou, after the passage of Cyclone Chido which ravaged the Mayotte archipelago on December 14. A still very provisional toll shows 31 deaths, but should be much higher. This is why the prefect launched a search mission to find the dead. As for the survivors, they lack everything. It is in this context that Emmanuel Macron arrived on site this Thursday morning.
4 mins
From our special correspondents in Mayotte, Nicolas Feldmann And Jad El Khoury
The head of state arrived, after a second night under curfew to ensure security and prevent looting. He must spend part of the day in the French archipelago in the Indian Ocean. While a presidential visit mobilizes large numbers of law enforcement and administration personnel, at the risk of monopolizing the necessary resources elsewhere, the Élysée wanted to make it known that he is going to the overseas department “ with a very limited delegation “.
On board the plane which transported the French president, around twenty doctors, nurses and civil security personnel, and four tonnes of food and health freight. Emmanuel Macron first flew over the archipelago for aerial reconnaissance of the territory. He is expected during the day in a hospital, then will meet nursing staff, the injured and finally elected officials.
But five days after the passage of cyclone Chidohis visit questions some of the Mahorais encountered yesterday Wednesday in the commune of Pamandzi. “ We don’t know what he’s going to tell us, because there, we’re dying of hunger, of thirst… We have nothing. We have no electricity, no water, no food. We are given a can of sardines per person and a bottle of water. Where is the help ? We waited for help to arrive, but we never saw it. »
This aid must increase in strength. Since December 15, tons of food and supplies have been arriving by plane from Reunion and the metropolis. This airlift is also maritime since a first military ship arrived at the end of the week, with 200 containers and several million liters of water on board.
This aid involves sending tarpaulins and tents to shelter homeless people. New human resources will be deployed: first aiders, but also police and gendarmes to ensure security at Mayotte.
In Pamandzi, we lack everything
The commune of Pamandzi is almost no longer connected to electricity, deprived of power, like 80% of the archipelago. This is why the inhabitants organize themselves under a tent. A charging point has been installed, powered by a solar panel: “ There is everything that can be loaded. Have a little electricity this evening, last until tomorrow at least, because in the houses, there is nothing to light them. Everyone is trying to charge either their phone or tablets and computers. There is nothing happening, we are in complete darkness. »
There is no water, there is nothing.
Report in Pamandzi where we lack everything
Some neighborhoods a little higher up are still cut off from the world. “ I live in the heights of the watchtower, it’s really devastated. And since the cyclone, we haven’t seen anyone go up there to find out if there are people alive, even to clear the path, so that people can pass. Nobody until today. »
Yesterday Wednesday, soldiers arrived at the airport with chainsaws and shovels to continue clearing the roads and access the most remote areas. The Mayotte hospital is gradually returning to service. It should be supported in the coming days with the arrival of a field hospital on site.
Also readCyclone Chido: in Mayotte, the impossible human toll