The Comoros has declared a week of national mourning following Cyclone Chido, which devastated Mayotte and resulted in significant loss of life and damage. President Azali Assoumani announced the mourning period will last until Sunday, as the archipelago grapples with the consequences of the catastrophic storm.
The Comoros archipelago has declared a national week of mourning following the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido, a category 4 storm, particularly affecting the nearby French overseas department of Mayotte. President Azali Assoumani announced that the mourning period will extend until Sunday, after reports indicated significant loss of life and extensive infrastructural damage. Cyclone Chido, characterized by winds exceeding 220 kilometers per hour, has been noted as the worst cyclone to impact Mayotte in nearly a century, leaving many individuals, especially those residing in makeshift structures, in dire situations.
Cyclone Chido struck the Comoros and Mayotte, two closely situated territories, with far-reaching consequences. Mayotte, having opted to remain a French territory during two referendums, has significant ties to Comoros, with a large portion of its population originally from the archipelago. The cyclone’s strength and duration represent a severe climatic event, reminiscent of previous natural disasters, and have raised urgent concerns regarding humanitarian responses and recovery efforts in the region.
In the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, the Comoros has instigated a week of national mourning to honor the lives lost and to support those affected by the disaster. With the severe impact on Mayotte’s densely populated areas, the region is in urgent need of recovery and reconstruction initiatives. President Assoumani’s declaration highlights the profound communal grief and the pressing need for solidarity and support in overcoming this crisis.
Original Source: www.lemonde.fr
