Cyclone Chido devastated the island of Mayotte on December 14, 2024, marking an unprecedented catastrophe in nearly 90 years. Yet the warning signs were evident as early as December 5, when a meteorological disturbance was observed southeast of Diego Garcia, a US military base located on a British-controlled atoll in the Chagos Archipelago. This territory, however, is contested by the Republic of Mauritius, which received a favorable ruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2019. Both the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the French Regional Meteorological Center (CMRS) had also identified the disturbance, which rapidly intensified into a cyclone by December 9.
Chido first struck Agaléga, a Mauritian territory, before reaching its peak strength on December 11. After ravaging Mayotte, the cyclone continued through the Mozambique Channel, inflicting substantial damage in Mozambique and Malawi, before dissipating on December 19.
A Doctrine Prioritizing State Interests
The French state’s response to natural disasters has repeatedly come under scrutiny. Its current doctrine appears to prioritize the protection of state interests over the immediate safety of affected populations. Recent events in Mayotte underscore this pattern, already evident after Hurricane Irma devastated Saint-Martin in September 2017.
Despite significant technical and human resources, the state’s response remains sluggish and poorly coordinated. In 2017, for example, the multi-platform rescue ship stationed in Martinique had been decommissioned, with no replacement expected for two years. Such shortfalls, coupled with a focus on safeguarding infrastructure and strategic interests, leave affected communities in a critical situation during the crucial first days following a disaster.
Cyclone Chido Mayotte Damage – © FMT
“We Can’t Intervene”: A Stark Illustration
A striking example of these limitations occurred during Hurricane Irma. In the French territory of Saint-Martin, women and children sheltering in a partially destroyed residence in Marigot issued a desperate nighttime plea for help, reporting threatening intruders. A Swiss psychologist, volunteering from Guadeloupe and alerted by contacts in Europe, reached out to the French Gendarmerie Command (COMGEND). He was connected via radio to an advanced deployment team, only to be told bluntly, “We can’t intervene.”
After repeated insistence, the gendarmes reluctantly agreed to illuminate the area with floodlights, causing the intruders to flee. This incident exemplifies the rigid protocols that take precedence over citizens’ immediate safety.
Delays in Aid: Tragic Consequences
Both in Mayotte and Saint-Martin, delayed responses have led to dire repercussions. Following Irma’s passage, Saint-Martin was left without water, electricity, or communication. Regional solidarity efforts, including supplies delivered by boats from Guadeloupe, provided some relief. Yet state-coordinated aid was slow to arrive. Preventable, indirect deaths were reported, and a major health crisis was averted only by sheer luck.
Similar delays have been observed in Mayotte. More than a week after Cyclone Chido struck, many areas remained without aid. Some residents were forced to drink stagnant water or bathe in polluted rivers, heightening the risk of epidemics such as cholera, which has previously afflicted this French department.
The Need for Better Coordination
These examples highlight the urgent need for reform in France’s disaster management strategies. The country could draw inspiration from the approach taken in the reconstruction of Notre-Dame de Paris, where efforts were led by the late General Jean-Louis Georgelin, whose centralized and energetic coordination was widely praised.
A similarly centralized approach, leveraging military expertise, could enhance the efficiency of disaster response and ensure immediate support for affected populations. The current system, plagued by fragmented efforts and slow reactions, unnecessarily exposes citizens to grave risks.
It is time for France to adopt a doctrine that prioritizes the safety and well-being of its citizens above all else.
Photo: Cyclone Chido Tracking 12-12, 2024 – © Zoom Earth, EUMETSAT, Meteosat-IODOC, ADPI News
