French Assembly Approves Emergency Law for Cyclone-Ravaged Mayotte

The legislation focuses on reconstruction and temporary housing but faces criticism for lacking ambition and omitting key issues like immigration.

The emergency law, adopted in committee, aims to accelerate urban planning procedures for rebuilding Mayotte after Cyclone Chido's devastation in December 2024.
Key provisions include the creation of a reconstruction coordinator, state-led rebuilding of schools, and temporary housing for displaced residents for up to two years.
The law has been criticized by local representatives for insufficient consultation and failing to address broader issues, such as immigration and long-term planning.
A follow-up 'law-program' with longer-term measures is expected in March, while a separate bill on tightening birthright citizenship in Mayotte will be reviewed in February.
An amendment requires the government to deliver a comprehensive report on the disaster's human impact within a month of the law's enactment.