The Comoros has announced a week of national mourning following the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido, a category 4 storm that impacted nearby Mayotte. President Azali Assoumani emphasized the significant loss of life and infrastructure damage. The storm, categorized as one of the most severe in 90 years, particularly affected shantytowns where many Comorans live. The humanitarian implications are severe, emphasizing the need for urgent assistance.
On December 16, 2023, the Comoros declared a national week of mourning in response to the devastating impact of Cyclone Chido, a category 4 storm that recently struck the neighboring French overseas department of Mayotte. President Azali Assoumani announced that the mourning period will continue until Sunday, as both the islands and their inhabitants have endured substantial losses, including lives and extensive damage to infrastructure.
The cyclone, which reached wind speeds exceeding 220 kilometers per hour (137 miles per hour), has claimed numerous lives, particularly among the poor communities in shantytowns that are predominantly populated by Comoran nationals residing in Mayotte. The authorities express concerns that the death toll might reach several hundred.
Notably, Mayotte, which remained French following two referendums in 1974 and 1976, is situated merely 70 kilometers (43 miles) from the Comoros. French government statistics from 2017 indicate that approximately half of Mayotte’s official population of 320,000 are from overseas, with 95% being Comoran. Many individuals from Comoros frequently travel to Mayotte clandestinely, often using canoes. Cyclone Chido marks the most severe storm to impact Mayotte in nearly a century, contributing to a humanitarian crisis in the region, where one-third of the population resides in precarious housing conditions.
The Comoros, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, has a complex historical relationship with Mayotte, a territory that opted to remain a French overseas department. The recent declaration of mourning stems from Cyclone Chido’s unprecedented devastation, which highlights the vulnerability of both the Comoros and Mayotte to natural disasters due to their geographical proximity and shared socio-economic challenges. The storm’s aftermath poses critical health and safety challenges for the regions affected, necessitating urgent humanitarian assistance and international support.
The declaration of a nationwide week of mourning in the Comoros underscores the profound grief and loss experienced following Cyclone Chido’s destruction. With fears of significant casualties in Mayotte and the revelation of vulnerable living conditions in both territories, this natural disaster serves as a crucial reminder of the necessity for disaster preparedness and response strategies in the region. The solidarity expressed by the Comoran government signifies the interconnectedness of the communities in the face of adversity, paving the way for potential collaborative recovery efforts in the future.
Original Source: www.lemonde.fr
