ISTANBUL 

French Overseas Territories Minister Manuel Valls reaffirmed on Monday his commitment to aiding Mayotte as the island grapples with the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido.

Addressing the French National Assembly’s Committee on Economic Affairs, Valls called the cyclone “the greatest civil security crisis our country has known since World War II” and acknowledged the ongoing challenges in assessing its full impact.

Mayotte, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean off the eastern coast of Africa, was just starting to recover from the destruction caused by Cyclone Chido last month. The cyclone, which hit on December 14, claimed at least 39 lives, left over 200 people missing, and injured more than 5,000.

“We will provide all the figures; we have absolutely nothing to hide,” Valls said regarding the human toll, which remains difficult to determine.

“I do not know if we will ever know the exact number," he added.

As the minister highlighted last month's cyclone challenge with a promise to restore infrastructure, another Cyclone Dikeledi hit Madagascar with heavy rains and winds over the weekend, killing three people and causing significant damage in Mayotte.

By Monday, it reached Mozambique, with average winds of 140 km/h and peaks of 195 km/h. The cyclone is expected to pass over Nampula province, causing heavy rains in Nampula, Cabo Delgado, and Zambezia.

Emergency relief and recovery plans

The French government has declared a state of calamity and implemented immediate measures, as Valls announced he will soon issue a decree granting exceptional financial aid to Mayotte in response to the severe impact of Cyclone Chido.

The aid will cover the months of December 2024 and January 2025, potentially reaching up to €20,000 (approximately $20,392) in emergency aid fund, price caps on essential goods, and efforts to restore services, he said.

“More than 80% of electricity has been restored, but water supply remains a significant challenge,” Valls stated.

Plans to construct a second desalination plant are among the key priorities of the recovery effort.

The reopening of administrative services is scheduled for next week, with students set to return to classrooms on January 27, he announced.

However, only 70% of educational facilities are expected to be operational. Waste management and public health are also critical concerns.

“Access to healthcare is a priority,” Valls emphasized, highlighting ongoing outreach programs to mitigate health risks.

“The epidemiological risk is being closely monitored to prevent outbreaks such as cholera," he added.

Reconstruction

An emergency bill has been introduced to facilitate rapid rebuilding and assist affected populations.

“This legislation allows for the rapid implementation of urgent measures to facilitate housing, support the population, and repair damaged infrastructure and homes,” Valls explained.

In addition to immediate recovery efforts, Valls announced a second bill focusing on structural reforms to be presented in two months.

“The fight against illegal immigration will be a key component,” he said, noting its pervasive impact on Mayotte.

“Illegal immigration weighs on all aspects of daily life for our compatriots in Mayotte, fuels ultraviolence, and sustains human trafficking networks.”

Valls also stressed the need for stricter border control measures and targeted action against illegal housing. “We will not let Mayotte become a shantytown again,” he declared.

Enhanced detection technologies, new maritime surveillance systems, and measures to combat illegal activities are part of the government’s strategy.

“From now on, we are restoring our detection capabilities for illegal entries,” Valls said.

Urging lawmakers to stand united, Valls concluded, “There is an imperative need: not to abandon Mayotte. The world is watching, and we must not waver in helping it recover.”