Overview

• 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.