France Declares First-Ever 'Calamité Naturelle Exceptionnelle' After Cyclone Chido Devastates Mayotte
The unprecedented designation aims to expedite crisis management and reconstruction following the cyclone, which has left 31 dead and over 1,400 injured.
- Cyclone Chido has caused significant devastation in Mayotte, resulting in at least 31 deaths, over 1,400 injuries, and widespread infrastructure damage.
- The French government has activated the 'calamité naturelle exceptionnelle' status for the first time to address the crisis in the overseas territory.
- This designation, established under a 2022 law, allows for streamlined administrative processes to accelerate emergency response and reconstruction efforts.
- The decree, valid for one month and renewable, enables local authorities to bypass certain legal constraints to restore vital services and rebuild critical infrastructure quickly.
- The government is also expected to declare a state of 'catastrophe naturelle,' which would facilitate insurance payouts, though many in Mayotte lack adequate coverage due to informal housing.
La Croix 
Sud Ouest 