France observed a day of mourning on Monday to honor the victims of Cyclone Chido, a devastating storm that struck its impoverished territory, Mayotte, over a week ago. This cyclone, the most destructive in Mayotte in 90 years, caused widespread damage to the island located off Africa's east coast. Reports indicate at least 35 fatalities and around 2,500 injuries, although the actual toll is expected to be higher due to the extensive destruction, challenging living conditions for a significant migrant population, and the local Muslim tradition of burying the deceased within 24 hours.
Local residents shared heartbreaking stories of loss and devastation. Zaharia Youssouf recounted her final conversation with her husband, Baco Houmadi, who tragically passed away during the storm. Many victims, like Houmadi, underestimated the severity of the cyclone and chose to stay at home, leading to tragic outcomes.
Cyclone Chido made landfall on Mayotte on December 14, causing disruptions to essential services such as water and electricity, cutting off communications, and displacing thousands of residents. The aftermath of the cyclone has left many struggling to rebuild their lives and homes.
President Emmanuel Macron of France paid his respects by observing a minute of silence at the Elysee Palace and expressed solidarity with the people of Mayotte. However, some local lawmakers criticized the French government for what they perceived as neglect towards the island in the wake of the disaster.
Furthermore, Cyclone Chido also impacted southeastern Africa, with Mozambique reporting 94 fatalities. This marks the first national day of mourning in response to a climate-related disaster in France since the establishment of the Fifth Republic in the 1950s. Previous national days of mourning were primarily held to commemorate former French presidents or victims of terrorist attacks.
As the affected regions grapple with the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, the international community stands in solidarity with the victims and their families, offering support and assistance in the recovery efforts.
