The cyclone struck the archipelago in the western Indian Ocean on Saturday 14 December with winds exceeding 200km/h, destroying villages and leaving people without shelter, water or electricity.
Since then, ACS has arranged almost 30 flights, mostly coming from France, using various aircraft including Antonov AN-12s, Airbus A321s, A300s, Boeing 737s, B777s and B747s.
Ben Dinsdale, Director for Government and Humanitarian Services at ACS says the team were contacted one day after the cyclone and arranged its first charter within 72 hours.
He says, “The infrastructure on the island was badly damaged, so most of our charters flew into nearby La Réunion, with military boats transporting the aid to the final destination of Mayotte. The cargo we’ve been taking in has been a real mixture of medicine, hygiene kits, tents, camp beds, sleeping bags, blankets, generators, water, water purification tablets and rice.”
The situation in Mayotte got worse when it was hit by Cyclone Dikeledi, which caused flooding and mudslides.
Dinsdale says, “Hopefully, that is the last of it for them and the aid can get to who needs it.”