In the wake of Cyclone Chido's devastating impact on Mayotte, Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF) mobilized to provide emergency communication services to the island's most affected communities.
Cyclone Chido's Impact on Mayotte
On December 14, 2024, Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte with unprecedented intensity, bringing hurricane-force winds exceeding 180 kph across the island and surpassing 200 kph in the cyclone's eye. The cyclone caused extensive material damage, disrupting housing, transport infrastructure, healthcare, administrative services, and the drinking water network. Telecommunications were severely affected, with approximately 80% of sites rendered inoperative due to destruction or power outages.
TSF's Emergency Response
Recognizing the critical need for communication in disaster-stricken areas, TSF deployed to Mayotte soon after the cyclone's passage. Our teams conducted 21 mobile operations in the island's northern and western regions, focusing on the most deprived communities living in precarious housing. These operations were carried out in collaboration with Mahoran and international NGOs. This collaborative approach enhanced the effectiveness and reach of our operations, allowing us to address urgent needs more efficiently and target the people in the most vulnerable situations.
Through these efforts, TSF provided:
- Free Wi-Fi Access: Enabling over 1,500 families to reconnect with their loved ones.
- Priority Voice Calls: Facilitating more than 230 essential voice communications for those in urgent need.
Being able to communicate after such a trauma provides huge emotional relief, as a resident of Ouangani shared with us:
We're fine on our side, we know everything's okay. But for them, in the Comoros, it's difficult because they don't know if we're alive, if we're injured...
We live in Ouangani. There's no network there, nothing at all. Twice we've found someone [with access to network], but it doesn't work.
When I called my sister, she cried! She was so happy! She called: Mamaaa! It was really emotional!
Ongoing Efforts and Future Plans
As Mayotte transitions into the recovery phase, TSF continues to focus on areas where network and electricity access remain limited. We are collaborating with local stakeholders to assess and address long-term communication needs, in a perspective of resilience against future crises.
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