Solidarity With Mayotte: 3 Months of Support

On 14 December, a cyclone of exceptional magnitude devastated the archipelago of Mayotte. Already engaged in disaster preparedness efforts on the island, Fondation de France immediately mobilised, reaching out to its nonprofit partners in the Indian Ocean region to launch the first emergency relief actions. The call for donations raised €42 million. Over the past three months, €6.2 million has already been allocated to 65 relief initiatives across the affected archipelago.

Meeting Essential Needs

Faced with the humanitarian emergency, Fondation de France continues to support local actors in providing essential aid: food assistance, access to clean water, and distribution of hygiene kits.

The association LEPAM (Luttons Ensemble pour un Avenir Meilleur à Mayotte) distributes water, food, clothing, and hygiene products in the neighbourhoods of La Vigie and Labattoir in Petite-Terre, as well as to isolated individuals unable to leave their homes. The association also provides psychosocial support, socio-professional assistance, mentoring programmes, and academic support.

The association Yes We Can Nette has reopened its social and solidarity grocery store, which includes a laundry facility. It encourages residents to recycle empty cans in exchange for discounts. The organisation also distributes food vouchers and conducts workshops on waste sorting and natural disaster risk management.

In Petite-Terre, the association SCH delivers packages containing food, clothing, and hygiene products to around a hundred vulnerable families who cannot travel.

Providing Shelter and Securing Housing

Following the cyclone, a large proportion of the island’s precarious housing—representing 40% of all homes—was completely destroyed. In response to this unprecedented crisis, Fondation de France supports several organisations working to secure and rebuild housing.

The organisations Architectes de l’Urgence and CAUE (Conseil d’Architecture, d’Urbanisme et de l’Environnement) conducted an assessment of damage to both public and private buildings. Their findings indicate that the most severe destruction occurred in the northern, eastern, and western regions of Grande-Terre, particularly affecting lightweight residential structures, including those in informal settlements. CAUE is developing tools to assist residents with reconstruction procedures and is holding public consultations in municipalities to answer technical, administrative, and legal questions. Four new architect-lawyer teams have been deployed to provide guidance for sustainable reconstruction efforts.

Ensuring Healthcare Access and Psychological Support

To address urgent healthcare and mental health needs, Fondation de France supports several organisations providing aid to the most vulnerable populations.

The NGO Santé Sud delivers community health services across Petite-Terre, reaching approximately 35,000 people. With its team of healthcare professionals, it also conducts epidemiological monitoring to mitigate health risks.

The association Machaka Media Ana facilitates healthcare access for people in extreme poverty. In Longoni, it arranges transportation for patients who need to reach hospitals or pharmacies, delivers food and water to the most isolated areas, and supplies medical equipment to diabetic patients.

In Tsingoni, the association Autisme Mayotte has established a day centre for autistic children and adults, as well as their families. The centre offers tailored educational and cultural activities and a "parent school" to support families through exchanges and training sessions. Additionally, a community garden provides therapeutic and economic benefits, allowing participants to share their harvests.

Supporting Children and Their Families

Children have been particularly affected by the cyclone’s aftermath. To safeguard their access to education and prevent disruptions in their learning, Fondation de France supports local organisations that assist families, supply school materials and toys, and organise educational, sports, artistic, and cultural activities.

In Koungou and Mamoudzou, the association Kaweni Nouvelle Aire welcomes around 100 children and youth facing extreme hardship at a day centre, where they receive educational support and participate in various activities. The association also operates in the most isolated neighbourhoods, providing food aid and health advice. To promote professional integration, it offers agricultural training programmes, enabling young people to develop skills while supplying fresh produce to their families.

The Mission Locale de Mayotte assists over 1,000 young people aged 16 to 25, primarily from disadvantaged urban areas. Two mobile units travel through rural zones, offering career guidance, administrative support, and social services, as well as distributing essential goods.

To address the needs of children across the island, the Fédération des Familles Rurales de Mayotte has established collective childcare centres in seven municipalities. At the same time, it is training 100 young people aged 16 to 30 for the BAFA (youth work certification) to strengthen local support teams.

“Three Months After the Disaster, the Situation Remains Critical”

Karine Meaux, head of Fondation de France’s Emergency Response division, provides an update on the current situation in Mayotte and the organisation’s ongoing priorities in the severely affected region.

Reviving the Economy, Especially Agriculture

Beyond addressing immediate needs, Fondation de France is also supporting initiatives aimed at preparing for the reconstruction phase and revitalising the local economy, particularly in the agricultural sector.

Several agricultural cooperatives specialising in market gardening, livestock farming, and agroforestry have begun clearing land, purchasing seeds and plants, and replacing essential equipment to restart cultivation before the rainy season ends. These efforts are supported by the Chamber of Agriculture of Mayotte (CAPAM) and the DAAF (Direction de l'Alimentation, de l'Agriculture et de la Forêt of the Mayotte Prefecture).

The association Initiative Mayotte is fostering entrepreneurship and job creation. In partnership with the Departmental Council of Mayotte and Fondation de France, it has established a support fund for small local entrepreneurs. The initiative provides interest-free honour loans of up to €20,000 to help kickstart the local economy. corps du texte ici