Macron Faces Criticism on Mayotte After Hurricane Chido

Hurricane Chido wreaked havoc on the French territory of Mayotte, leaving a trail of devastation and sparking a contentious visit from President Emmanuel Macron. The storm, described by French meteorologists as the strongest to hit the island in 90 years, caused widespread destruction, leading to a complete power outage. The official death toll stands at 31, although locals fear the number could be much higher.

Macron's visit to Mayotte was met with hostility from residents, many of whom booed him for the perceived slow response from France. The island's population, predominantly Muslim, expressed frustration over the lack of immediate aid and resources. In response, Macron asserted that without French support, the situation would be far worse. His comments were met with anger, as locals continue to grapple with shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies.

In Mozambique, Chido claimed at least 34 lives and destroyed 35,000 homes. The EU has responded by providing emergency aid and deploying resources to both regions. Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Belgium have sent supplies, while the EU Commission has allocated additional funds for humanitarian assistance.

The aftermath of Chido has highlighted the vulnerabilities of remote territories like Mayotte, which struggles with infrastructure and undocumented population issues. Macron's extended visit aims to show solidarity and a commitment to resolving these challenges. However, the impact of climate change continues to exacerbate the frequency and intensity of such natural disasters, necessitating urgent global attention and action.