Solidarity with Mayotte: 6 months of action

Six months after Cyclone Chido struck on 14 December last year, the Mayotte archipelago still bears the scars of this disaster on an unprecedented scale. Already active in the region through risk preparedness initiatives, Fondation de France mobilised from the very first hours after the cyclone hit, in coordination with its local partners in the Indian Ocean. The fundraising appeal raised €43.6 million. €10.3 million has already been earmarked to support 113 initiatives throughout the country to meet the immense needs of the disaster victims.

Continuing to meet basic needs

After an initial phase largely devoted to emergency aid, Fondation de France is now focusing its support on more targeted and sustainable initiatives, prioritising the most vulnerable and isolated populations. Here are some examples of the associations we support:

In Tsingoni, the association Nouroul Absoir combats the isolation of elderly people by helping them remain in their own homes. It organises intergenerational activities and assists them with administrative and health and social care procedures. The association delivers food parcels each week directly to the homes of 130 elderly people in vulnerable situations.

Meanwhile, the association Allo Saad, which specialises in home help for dependent elderly people and people with disabilities, was supporting 260 individuals before the cyclone hit. It has stepped up its actions to assist a further 100 people, providing them in particular with food and essential supplies.

Fondation de France also supports sustainable food aid initiatives run by community grocery shops in Mayotte: as a result, Narihime ASJSFP, Petite-T'espoir, Le Regard du Cœur and Yes We Can Nette will be able to continue their work with people facing hardship (distribution of foodstuffs and access to low-cost products, administrative and social support, the organisation of community-building activities, etc.).

The association Yes We Can Nette runs a community grocery shop. It encourages residents to bring in their empty cans and recycle them in exchange for basic necessities at reduced prices.

Planning reconstruction with sustainability in mind

To meet the challenges of reconstruction in Mayotte, where 40% of the archipelago's housing has been completely destroyed, Fondation de France is supporting initiatives that combine strengthening local know-how and raising awareness of good construction practices.

For example, the association LikoliDago  has set up resource centres where residents, craftsmen and building professionals can receive technical training in cyclone-resistant construction and individual support. These spaces also offer tool loans and provide educational materials. Two containers have been set up in Chiconi and Mamoudzou to host drop-in sessions and themed workshops.

In Majicavo, 17 families living in extreme hardship had their homes destroyed or severely damaged by the cyclone. In response to the unsanitary and unsafe conditions, the association Soliha  is rehabilitating homes and rehousing families. It also provides administrative and social support for one year.

In Majicavo, the association Soliha is rehousing families whose homes have been destroyed.

Nature has also been severely affected. Mangroves, forests, wetlands and coral reefs suffered extensive damage, requiring coordinated clean-up, assessment and regeneration actions. As part of a network bringing together the main public and private players involved, Fondation de France supports a number of associations, such as Gepomay  and Mayotte Nature Environnement , to strengthen their response capabilities. In addition to analysing priority needs and carrying out clean-up operations, these organisations ensure that reconstruction respects the ecosystems that are vital to life on the island. For example, the association Lieux Infinis has set up a mobile sawmill to clear fallen trees and explore their optimal use for agriculture, reconstruction or watershed protection.

Facilitating access to healthcare and providing psychological support

To meet physical and mental health needs, Fondation de France supports a number of associations working with the most vulnerable individuals. The association Play International  uses sport as a vehicle for reconstruction, socialisation and emotional healing. By offering sports sessions supervised by an activity leader and a mental health advisor, it enables children and teenagers to better manage their emotions and tackle mental health issues in a fun and collective way. These activities also make it possible to identify young people facing challenges and direct them towards appropriate support.

Following Cyclone Chido, access to screening and medical treatment has become even more difficult. In response, the association Narike M'Sada  is stepping up its prevention efforts. It has set up a mobile unit offering screening for sexually transmitted infections, including hepatitis and HIV, in the most remote areas of the island. This helps to reduce the number of late diagnoses.

The association Ensemble pour la santé primaire à Mayotte (EPSM) provides local medical and psychological care and follow-up for students by working directly with the University of Mayotte, the Lycée Agricole de Coconi and three rural structures in the east, south and north of the island. As students were particularly affected by the cyclone and reluctant to seek help from healthcare services, this approach is essential to provide them with health support where none was previously available.

The association PLAY International offers therapeutic sports sessions for children and teenagers.

Supporting education and the resumption of cultural and sporting activities

Fondation de France encourages the resumption of activities that are essential to the development of children and young people in Mayotte by supporting local associations that work in the fields of education and organise sporting and cultural activities.

The association APMN (Amicale des Personnels de Mamoudzou Nord) implements educational projects for pupils and their families: classroom libraries, reading clubs, educational gardens, etc. The association works to strengthen the connection between families and the teaching staff. It is also replacing school equipment destroyed by the cyclone so that 150 children can resume their education.

The association Formation et Espoir  works to provide access to education for children who do not attend school, through a school it has established. It offers support classes, educational and fun workshops during the holidays, workshops for parents and also organises food distributions for families living in extreme hardship. "The food parcel we received represents much more than just food. It was a sign that someone was thinking about us, that we hadn't been forgotten," says Mrs Dhoiffir, the mother of one of the families supported.

To get training and competitions back on track in its 40 clubs, the Mayotte Regional Basketball League has replaced small equipment stolen or destroyed by the cyclone (balls, hoops, cones, etc.). Lastly, the association Hippocampus  is revitalising local cultural life in the archipelago through a programme of live performances – storytelling, concerts, theatre and dance – showcasing artists from Mayotte and the Indian Ocean region.

Dominique Boyer, Chairman of the Solidarité Mayotte committee, in one of the Kaweni schools destroyed by the earthquake.

Supporting economic recovery

To help local businesses get back on their feet, Fondation de France provides support for small businesses and the agricultural sector.

The association Initiative Mayotte  has set up an honour loan fund to help businesses affected by the cyclone. Depending on the extent of the damage (damage to premises, loss of equipment, business interruption), small businesses can receive an interest-free loan of up to €20,000. The scheme, which is supported by the Mayotte Departmental Council and Fondation de France, is expected to help almost 300 small businesses.

ADIE Mayotte  is developing a complementary scheme for micro-entrepreneurs with the support of the Crédit Agricole La Réunion/Mayotte Foundation and Fondation de France. A dedicated fund aims to support 500 beneficiaries by the end of 2025 in a variety of sectors such as retail, craft and agriculture, with an estimated average loan size of €4,000.

The resumption of agricultural activity is also being organised with the support of several local groups and cooperatives, in conjunction with the Mayotte Chamber of Agriculture. In particular, this aid enables the purchase of seeds, seedlings and essential equipment to restart agricultural production. For example, COPEMAY (the Mayotte fishermen's cooperative), has been able to repair its buildings, replace its technical and IT equipment and compensate fishermen, while COOPAC (Coopérative des Agriculteurs du Centre) has been able to acquire equipment and expand its team.

FIND OUT MORE

→ Solidarity with Mayotte: 3 months of support
→ Solidarity with Mayotte: “Three Months After the Disaster, the Situation Remains Critical”
→ Solidarity with Mayotte: Two Months Supporting Communities Hit After Cyclone Chido
→ Solidarity with Mayotte: Cyclone Recovery Efforts One Month On
→ Emergencies: rebuilding lives over the long term