ORTC TV features LIFE

ORTC, the Comoros Radio and Television Office and the country's leading channel, reports on our emergency response for people affected by Storm Hidaya.

Food kits were distributed to 84 families in Moroni. As well as sacks of rice and essential supplies, families with young children received nappies and milk. We are also helping some of the hardest-hit families to rebuild their destroyed homes. This emergency aid was started by members of the Comorian diaspora in France. They got in touch with LIFE, which regularly runs operations like this in different countries. What's more, we have been working on the ground since 2022 to help those most in need.

These distributions are made possible by the invaluable support of our local partners: Ascobef, Fadesim, the Civil Protection Directorate (which provided us with the list of affected families) and the Moroni women's centre, which made its premises available to us.

The Comoros: vulnerable to extreme weather and climate change

The Comoros, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean between the east coast of Africa and Madagascar, regularly faces all kinds of extreme weather, including tropical cyclones, heavy rain, floods and landslides. These events can cause serious damage because the archipelago is so vulnerable and has limited means to cope with natural disasters. Climate change is making these phenomena far more severe.

Tropical Cyclone Hidaya

Storm Hidaya is the latest major storm to hit the Comoros, striking in early May 2024. It brought violent winds, torrential rain and flooding. The winds tore off roofs, uprooted trees and damaged infrastructure. Several regions were badly hit by the floods, which destroyed crops and disrupted people's daily lives.

The previous cyclone, Kenneth, in March 2019, had already prompted a great show of solidarity from international organisations. Yet few measures have been put in place to anticipate the risk of rivers overflowing during heavy rain in areas that are particularly vulnerable to downpours.

International solidarity is vital to overcome this crisis and give hope back to those who have lost everything.
Every action counts in this urgent effort to save lives and rebuild devastated communities.

Let's join forces to support the victims in the Comoros!