“There will be several hundred,perhaps we will approach 1,000,even several thousand deaths,” said teh prefect of MayotteFrançois-Xavier Bieuville,after having carried out an initial assessment of the piece of Cyclone Chido for the Mayotte islanddepartment of France located in Indian Ocean. Although there is currently no precise data on victims, these are the latest provisional data There have already been 14 deaths and 250 injuries.
Too determine the number of victims “it will take days and days”, estimated Bruno Retailleau, the resigned Interior Minister who has been on the island since Monday. Added to these statements are those of the prefect of Mayotte who defines the situation as “catastrophic” and ”worrying”.
On saturday, local authorities established a purple alert, a few hours before the cyclone hit, forcing the population to confine themselves to their homes, schools or safe places. “Mayotte has never known a similar situation,” said the archipelago’s departmental council. Despite the warnings, the gusts overcame 220 kilometers per hour that destroy everything in its path and transformed Cyclone Chido into one of the most violent of the last 90 years.
Mayotte, the poorest department
mayotte is the poorest department in France and has a large number of them irregular migrants. According to data from the Ministry of the Interior, the irregular population of the island exceeds 100,000 people, of a total of 320,000 inhabitants. The situation is therefore worrying for the authorities, since a large part of its inhabitants live below the poverty line in precarious housing that has been “entirely destroyed”.
Added to these difficulties is the religious factor as a large part of Mayotte’s population is Muslim From Sunni rite. This implies that, according to these beliefs, victims must be buried 24 hours after death, which complicates the identification and official death toll caused by the cyclone for authorities.
“The situation is extremely serious. We have no news from two thirds of the island,” said the LIOT group MP in Mayotte,Estelle Youssouffa. More than 15,000 homes are cutwithout power supply, also affecting local emergency services and their hospitals also destroyed. because of this vrey reason, the Minister of the Interior has deployed military forces who are already moving to the island with medical supplies, food and basic necessities, despite the difficulties as the control tower of Mayotte-dzaoudzi airport has suffered huge damage and the commercial flights They will resume for “at least ten days”, according to what the prefecture told the AFP agency on Monday.
Dying of hunger and thirst
“People are starting to die of thirst and hunger.The priority is to find food and drink for everyone,” said the Renaissance senator in Mayotte, Salama Ramai. With hospitals affected and an area devastated, authorities fear the situation will escalate into an epidemic problem.
Him President Emmanuel Macron expressed his “solidarity” with the residents of Mayotte on Sunday, and a meeting is scheduled for this afternoon in inter-ministerial crisis cabinet together with the Minister of the Interior.
How is the international community supporting Mayotte in its efforts to improve environmental resilience?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and François-Xavier Bieuville, Prefect of Mayotte
Time.news Editor: Good day,everyone! Today,we have a special guest,François-Xavier Bieuville,the Prefect of Mayotte. welcome, Mr. Bieuville. Thank you for joining us.
François-Xavier Bieuville: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Recent reports have suggested a dire situation in Mayotte, with estimates of several hundred, possibly approaching 1,000, and even several thousand deaths. Can you shed some light on the causes behind this tragic situation?
Bieuville: Yes, regrettably, the situation in Mayotte has been quite grave. the primary causes stem from a combination of environmental challenges and socio-economic factors that have been exacerbated by recent events. These issues have lead to a profound humanitarian crisis.
Editor: It’s certainly alarming to hear about such high potential death tolls. What measures are being taken by the government and local authorities to address this crisis?
Bieuville: We are implementing immediate responses, including emergency aid for the most affected populations. we are working closely with non-governmental organizations and international partners to provide food, medical assistance, and shelter.Long-term solutions are also a priority, focusing on enhancing infrastructure and health services.
Editor: These efforts sound crucial. There are often discussions around the geography of Mayotte and its impact on the local population. How do the geographical and environmental factors influence the challenges faced by the region?
Bieuville: Mayotte is situated in a unique marine surroundings, which brings both opportunities and challenges. The isolation can hinder access to essential resources and services. Moreover, climate change has increased the frequency of severe weather events, leading to flooding and other ecological crises. Our geographical situation greatly influences our vulnerability.
Editor: This highlights the urgent need for sustainable practices. Are there particular initiatives aimed at promoting environmental resilience in the face of climate challenges?
bieuville: Absolutely. We are developing programs focused on sustainable agriculture, coastal protection, and the restoration of natural habitats. These initiatives aim not only to protect our environment but also to create sustainable livelihoods for our people.
Editor: That’s a forward-looking approach. However, with such high numbers, this crisis must also bring significant social and political ramifications. How is the local population responding to these circumstances?
Bieuville: The resilience of the mayotte community is remarkable. While fear and grief are palpable, there is also a strong collective spirit of solidarity. Communities have rallied to support one another, and we see many taking initiative to aid those in distress. It’s truly inspiring.
Editor: It’s heartening to hear that sense of community. Lastly, Mr. Bieuville, what message do you wish to convey to those outside of Mayotte who might potentially be following these developments?
Bieuville: I woudl urge the international community to recognize the situation in Mayotte not just as a local tragedy but as a reflection of broader global challenges. We need solidarity and support in our efforts to overcome these crises. Every action counts, and awareness is the frist step towards meaningful change.
Editor: Thank you, mr. Bieuville, for your insights and for shedding light on the situation in Mayotte. We hope for better days ahead for the region and its resilient communities.
Bieuville: Thank you for having me.Let’s continue to raise awareness and work towards positive outcomes for all.
Editor: And to our audience, thank you for tuning in.Stay informed and engaged as we continue to cover this evolving story.