Mayotte Faces Urgent Recovery Challenges After Cyclone Chido

The French government outlines emergency plans, but questions linger over reconstruction timelines and housing solutions for displaced residents.

The cyclone Chido, the most devastating storm in Mayotte in 90 years, caused 39 deaths, over 5,600 injuries, and widespread destruction on December 14, 2024.
A new 'Mayotte debout' plan includes emergency measures such as restoring electricity by January's end, deploying the army for infrastructure repairs, and providing 200 Starlink devices for communication.
The government aims to prevent the reconstruction of destroyed bidonvilles, but no clear alternative housing solutions for the displaced—comprising a third of the population—have been presented.
The project of an emergency law for Mayotte has been delayed to next week for further consultation with local officials, with a broader 'refoundation' law expected within three months.
Experts and local leaders question the feasibility of rebuilding Mayotte within two years, citing logistical, financial, and human resource challenges in the impoverished territory.