Cyclone Chido Leaves 39 Dead in Mayotte Amid Struggles to Deliver Aid

The devastating storm has exposed infrastructure challenges and deepened hardships in France's poorest territory.

The official death toll from Cyclone Chido in Mayotte has risen to 39, with over 4,200 injured, although the number of fatalities remains under scrutiny due to undocumented residents and burial customs.
The cyclone, the strongest in 90 years to hit Mayotte, destroyed large swathes of the island, particularly in informal settlements made of fragile materials.
Aid distribution has been slow and uneven, with many communities still lacking sufficient water, food, and electricity nearly two weeks after the disaster.
Local officials and residents have criticized the French government's response, citing logistical hurdles and years of underinvestment in Mayotte's infrastructure.
Efforts to restore essential services are ongoing, including the deployment of military resources and the establishment of a field hospital, though significant challenges remain.