French PM Bayrou ‘forbids’ shanty towns in reconstruction plan for cyclone-hit Mayotte
French Prime Minister François Bayrou announced an ambitious aid plan for Mayotte on Monday after a devastating cyclone killed at least 39 and left thousands injured in the overseas territory. Dubbed “Mayotte Standing”, the plan includes restoring electricity to every home and bans the reconstruction of shanty towns.
French Prime Minister François Bayrou arrived in Mayotte on Monday, vowing to bring help to the Indian Ocean territory ravaged by Cyclone Chido.
The most devastating cyclone to hit France's poorest department in 90 years caused colossal damage in mid-December, killing at least 39 people and injuring more than 5,600.
Authorities have warned the death toll could rise in the archipelago.
The people of Mayotte "often have the sentiment that what we bring them are assurances, pretty words of solidarity", Bayrou said after visiting a desalination plant.
But what they want is "concrete" action, he said.
After touring areas damaged by the cyclone and meeting local leaders, Bayrou presented dozens of measures in the outlines of a recovery plan that he dubbed "Mayotte standing".
Two weeks after Cyclone Chido, emergency services are still trying to restore water, power and telecoms services.
"It should have been sorted out in two weeks. We've been abandoned, we can see it."
(AFP)
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