Macron abused during visit to cyclone-hit Mayotte
reutersA scuffle broke out during a visit to cyclone-hit Mayotte with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Faced with protests and calls for his resignation from locals demanding more aid to the devastated areas, Macron told locals: “I am not the cyclone. I am not responsible.”
He arrived in the French Indian Ocean territory on Thursday, five days after Cyclone Chido hit the small islands. Thousands of people remain without access to water and rescue workers continue efforts to find missing people.
Macron told reporters he had extended his visit to Friday as a mark of respect, and that leaving the same day could “establish the idea that we come, we see, we go”.
Macron will visit more areas on Friday. He said the government would soon send more aid to the area, adding that France would observe a national day of mourning on Monday.
French authorities have reported at least 31 people killed, but the death toll is feared to be much higher as thousands are still missing. A large part of the archipelago is still without electricity.
Officials say supplying food and water is a top priority. long sign on english vowel He said he had brought four tonnes of food and health goods with him on his trip.
Toured the area by helicopter DestructionHe said he will never forget Thursday.
The President promised to rebuild the islands’ destroyed infrastructure and homes.
People chanted “Macron resign”, “You’re talking nonsense” and “Water, water, water” as he inspected damaged areas.
During a visit to the Mamoudzou hospital center, AFP news agency reported that a woman told Macron: “Nobody feels safe here… people are fighting for water.”
“Your services are overwhelmed,” one person at the hospital told Macron, according to Reuters. “Help has not reached where I live.”
But others said they were grateful for Macron’s visit and urged him to stay longer.
This region, north of Madagascar, is the poorest part of France. It suffers from widespread social and economic problems, including high rates of illegal immigration from neighboring Comoros and poor quality housing and public services.
It is believed that migrants are among the people most affected by the cyclone.
A state of extraordinary natural disaster has been declared, allowing administrative hurdles to be removed to deal with the crisis more quickly and effectively.
It has been activated for one month, but can be extended for a period of two months if required.
Chido – the worst typhoon to hit the archipelago in 90 years – brought winds of more than 225 km/h (140 mph) on Saturday, flattening areas where people live in huts with sheet metal roofs And left fields of dirt and debris.
The storm struck the African mainland after Mayotte, killing at least 45 people in Mozambique and 13 in Malawi.
