Four months after Cyclone Chido struck on December 14, 2024, Mayotte is grappling with a significant accumulation of debris following the natural disaster.

The exit of the Mamoudzou bypass, the capital of Mayotte, has transformed into an open-air dump, littered with a mix of tree branches, old mattresses, fabrics, and remnants of household appliances.

This environmental challenge is compounded by the presence of scavenging birds and residents, including a mother and her children, sifting through the waste in search of usable materials.

Local authorities have raised alarms regarding the pollution of soils due to the lingering debris.

Marta de Cidrac, the senator from Yvelines and president of the Circular Economy Study Group, has publicly called for urgent action to rethink waste management strategies on the island.

She highlighted the dual threat of a public health and environmental crisis, drawing attention to the proliferation of pests such as rats and mosquitoes, which pose serious health risks, including the potential spread of infectious diseases.

The situation reflects a pressing need for effective waste management solutions to mitigate health hazards for the community in the wake of the cyclone.