Mayotte Cyclone Survivors Share Heartbreaking Stories of Loss and Resilience

As Cyclone Chido wreaked havoc in Mayotte, survivors like Zinedine Mohamed and Yasmine Moussa describe their desperate attempts to save their families amidst the destruction. With significant loss and limited assistance from authorities, residents face a challenging path to recovery and call for urgent support.

Zinedane Mohamed's family "lost everything" during Cyclone Chido. The night Cyclone Chido struck the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, Zinedine was at home with eight relatives in a small house made of corrugated iron and wood. Initially, he disregarded the warnings, believing they would result in little more than rain like in previous years. However, this cyclone brought winds exceeding 124mph (200km/h), marking the strongest storm to hit Mayotte in nearly a century, leading to 31 confirmed deaths and many more missing.

When a second, urgent warning was issued, Zinedine urged his mother to move to a neighboring, sturdier house. However, she was reluctant, making Zinedine feel compelled to stay with his family. As the storm commenced, they sought shelter under a table, but the powerful winds soon tore off their roof. Amid the chaos, Zinedine prioritized saving his mother and siblings, declaring, “I’d rather die than leave my mum to die.” After a frantic struggle, he managed to save his family but lost almost everything else, retaining only their important papers.

Now, Zinedine faces the challenging task of rebuilding their home. He struggles to find materials, as demand is high and he cannot afford new roofing. He has resorted to salvaging pieces from the debris, determined to tackle the repairs himself while expressing concern about the lack of government assistance.

Similar stories of struggle and resilience echo throughout Mayotte. Yasmine Moussa, a mother of three, fled to a local shelter as the cyclone approached. The chaos and destruction left her home unrecognizable, debris blocking roads and her belongings ruined. Living in a classroom with her children, Yasmine expresses concern for her family's safety and the unsanitary conditions surrounding them.

The Red Cross reports approximately 100,000 individuals currently reside in shelters across Mayotte. While President Macron has promised compensation for those without insurance, clarity on the extent and timing of this aid remains vague. Many citizens express anger and frustration over the perceived lack of governmental support. Political leaders on the right argue against extensive spending in Mayotte, fearing it may encourage undocumented immigration.

Despite differing political views on aid, Zinedine implores that the humanity of the situation must prevail. "We're humans at the end of the day. And we need help," he asserts, emphasizing the urgent need for assistance in their time of crisis.