Following the devastating cyclone Chido of December 2024 in Mayotte, the Commission has today granted to France an advance payment of close to €24 million from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to ease the burden of the recovery and reconstruction efforts.

Cyclone Chido, the most powerful storm to hit the French overseas region in nearly a century, brought torrential rain, massive waves and winds exceeding 200 km/h. The cyclone caused widespread destruction to infrastructure, homes, and the local economy. More than 30 people tragically lost their lives.

Immediately after the disaster, the EU provided assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Now, the advance payment from the EUSF, one of the main EU instruments for post-disaster recovery, will offer crucial financial relief to help cover the costs of emergency operations, such as restoration of key infrastructures or cleaning up of the disaster-stricken area.

The advance payment follows the application for EUSF support submitted by France on 7 March 2025.  The final amount of the EUSF support will be determined following a full assessment of the application and taking into account the  available  funds.

Executive Vice President Raffaele Fitto said: ‘I recently visited Mayotte and witnessed first-hand the devastation caused by Chido. EU support through the Solidarity Fund, along with the reallocation of Cohesion Policy funds, is vital to help the local community and restart the economy. This is the most tangible expression of European solidarity.”

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