Cyclone Chido has left the French island territory of Mayotte reeling after barreling into the islands over the weekend. At least 22 people are confirmed dead and hundreds are feared to have died due to the storm’s destruction.
The cyclone also slammed into Mozambique, killing at least 34 people and destroying over 35,000 houses. Aid agencies fear that number may increase as the disaster becomes clearer.
Mayotte, a poor French territory off the eastern coast of Africa, has been hit hard by the storm. The devastation has left many without access to basic necessities like food and water. The local authorities have imposed a curfew in an attempt to maintain order.
Communication networks are still down, and aid workers are struggling to reach areas affected by the storm. Over 200 volunteers from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have lost contact with aid teams.
President Emmanuel Macron is expected to visit the territory soon. The situation remains dire, with over 1,400 people injured and many more without shelter. Rescue efforts are underway, but concerns about disease outbreaks and health crises persist due to the lack of access to aid.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/17/world/africa/mayotte-cyclone-chido-curfew-deaths.html