A Deeply Local and Expert-Driven Response
Fondation de France has decades of experience in disaster response, ensuring that aid is deployed effectively through grassroots organizations that have direct knowledge of the affected areas. Navigating Mayotte after Cyclone Chido was a particularly daunting task: nearly half of the island’s inhabitants lost their homes, and damage to infrastructure, water supply, and electricity made aid delivery a labyrinth.
The complexity of emergency relief requires constant adaptation, identifying and coordinating among multiple stakeholders, and an unwavering commitment to quality service. Fondation de France excels at this, and does so with remarkable efficiency—the number of local initiatives supported increased from 18 to 42 in just a month.
We are pleased to share updates on the ongoing work in Mayotte, describing how donors have contributed to rebuilding the community through their generous donations.
Addressing Immediate Humanitarian Needs
To support communities in crisis, Fondation de France continues to support critical interventions, including food aid, clean water access, and hygiene kit distributions. These efforts are carried out by local organizations deeply embedded in the community. Here are some of the projects Fondation de France has partnered with:
- Haki Za Wanatsa – Collectif CIDE Mayotte provides food vouchers and school supplies to the most vulnerable populations. The collective also works to prevent and identify domestic violence, offering a support network for victims.
- Kaja Kaona delivers emergency aid to 300 displaced families in southern Mamoudzou, distributing food and essential goods such as jerricans, soap, diapers, and bottled water.
- Nyora Za Tseso ensures that 60 residents of Tsoundzou 1, facing extreme hardship, receive daily meal distributions, with home deliveries for those unable to travel.
Expanding Access to Healthcare and Psychological Support
To address the medical and psychological needs of survivors, Fondation de France backs initiatives that provide specialized care to the most vulnerable:
- Terra Psy has established support centers in three high schools and several primary and secondary schools, staffed by psychologists and social workers. The organization also trains teachers and school nurses to recognize signs of trauma in students. Additionally, two mobile mental health teams offer individual and group support in collaboration with partner organizations.
- Oppelia, in partnership with RIAM (Mayotte’s inter-associative network), operates a mobile multidisciplinary unit offering medical consultations, screenings, and gynecological follow-ups. Its three-year initiative prioritizes those most affected by the cyclone, preventing disruptions in healthcare access.
- Ja na tseso Za Wana provides hygiene products, clothing, school supplies, and toys to hospitalized children and newborns from low-income families, while also organizing engaging activities in pediatric units.
“After just a few days of psychological support, the children show remarkable improvement. They run up to us for hugs, express their emotions more freely, and tell us they sleep better at night,” shares a psychologist from Terra Psy.
Supporting Children’s Education and Well-being
Children are particularly vulnerable to the aftermath of natural disasters. Fondation de France funds local initiatives that offer educational, social, and cultural programs to minimize disruption and provide stability:
- Mission Locale de Mayotte assists 1,000 young people aged 16-25 in their social and professional integration. Mobile units travel to rural areas, providing career guidance, administrative support, and access to essential supplies. To help youth process their experiences, the organization is producing a documentary featuring firsthand accounts of the cyclone’s impact.
- Fédération des Associations de Vahibé distributes food, hygiene kits, and solar batteries to 500 families in precarious situations. It also organizes sports and cultural activities to alleviate post-disaster trauma.
- La Cité d’Or creates community spaces in Combani, breaking isolation by providing youth with access to cultural, educational, and recreational activities that foster resilience and social cohesion.
Rebuilding Homes and Securing Shelter
Cyclone Chido destroyed a significant portion of Mayotte’s already fragile housing, where 40% of homes are makeshift structures. Fondation de France is supporting reconstruction efforts by backing key organizations focused on safe and sustainable rebuilding:
- Conseil d’Architecture, d’Urbanisme et de l’Environnement (CAUE) de Mayotte offers guidance on repair and reconstruction, ensuring architectural integrity. Additional teams of architects and legal advisors are being deployed to assess damages and provide rebuilding strategies.
- Actes & Cités, based in Mahabourini, assists 1,500 residents in securing and reinforcing their homes. The organization conducts outreach missions, raises awareness of housing risks, and implements priority repairs while providing training on safer construction techniques.
A Commitment to Long-Term Recovery
From January 19 to 25, Karine Meaux and Clémence Allirot from Fondation de France’s Emergency Response team, along with Jacques Desproges from the Solidarité Mayotte committee, conducted a field mission in partnership with Les Compagnons Bâtisseurs. Their goal was to assess ongoing housing and environmental needs. Meetings were held with key organizations, including Architectes de l’Urgence, Likoli Dago, Soliha, and CAUE, to coordinate efforts with local government agencies, elected officials, and construction professionals.
Fondation de France remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that relief efforts in Mayotte are effective, sustainable, and community-driven. Thanks to the generosity of donors, vital aid continues to reach those who need it most.
We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our American donors who have supported this cause, helping families rebuild their homes, restore essential infrastructure, and create safer living conditions. Your generosity plays a crucial role in fostering long-term resilience and recovery in Mayotte. To support the project, donations can be made directly on our website.
Stay tuned for more updates on the impact of these crucial interventions and the progress being made on the ground.
Translated and adapted from French. Originally published by Fondation de France.
