Humanitarian organizations have stepped in to provide emergency aid, yet the efforts have been insufficient to Cyclone Ariel’s recent devastation in Mayotte has exposed severe gaps in the island’s social protection systems. As the region grapples with the storm’s aftermath, thousands of residents are left struggling without adequate support to rebuild their lives after widespread damage to homes and infrastructure.
Mayotte, a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean, was struck by Cyclone Ariel in late January 2025. The cyclone caused severe flooding, destroyed homes, and displaced thousands. Many families now lack shelter or essential resources, and local authorities fail to provide the necessary assistance promptly. “We have lost everything, and there’s no help coming,” said Aïcha Madi, a mother of three whose home was destroyed in the cyclone. “We need support to rebuild, but there is nothing.”
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has criticized the island’s lack of disaster preparedness and response, highlighting the ongoing issues with the island’s social protection systems. The disaster has particularly affected low-income areas with limited access to government support. “The cyclone has exposed how poorly prepared Mayotte is to handle natural disasters,” said HRW spokesperson Amira Ait Hamouda. “The absence of a strong social safety net has left vulnerable populations with no recourse when disaster strikes.”
Mayotte has been facing ongoing economic difficulties and rising inequality in recent years, only worsened by the cyclone’s impact. The island’s infrastructure, especially in poorer neighborhoods, is underdeveloped and was not built to withstand such extreme weather. “The infrastructure here is weak, and people are left to fend for themselves when disaster hits,” said Mohamed Ali, a local activist working to aid displaced residents. “Seeing how little support is provided during this crisis is devastating.”
meet the island’s growing needs. With many families desperately needing shelter, food, and clean water, the lack of an effective response has prompted calls for urgent reform. Experts argue that a comprehensive review of Mayotte’s social protection policies is essential for ensuring that residents are better supported in future crises. “Mayotte needs to establish a stronger, more inclusive social protection system to prevent people from falling through the cracks,” Ait Hamouda said.
While aid continues to pour in from various international organizations, the recovery process remains slow, and many residents of Mayotte are still without adequate resources. Local authorities have struggled to provide long-term solutions for those displaced, leaving many families in a constant state of uncertainty. “The help we have received is temporary. We are still waiting for concrete plans to rebuild our homes,” said Aïcha Madi.
The cyclone has also illuminated the island’s inadequate social safety nets for natural disaster preparedness. Mayotte will remain vulnerable to future disasters without a reliable and resilient social protection system. Experts suggest that an overhaul of social policies could help protect the most at-risk communities, allowing them to recover more quickly and effectively.
As the recovery process continues, the people of Mayotte are demanding urgent action. The island’s future depends on improving disaster response systems and ensuring that vulnerable communities have access to the support they need in times of crisis. Without these reforms, Mayotte’s recovery will remain fragile, with many residents continuing to face the devastating consequences of the cyclone and the lack of necessary aid.
