BWI stands in solidarity with its members in Mayotte, an overseas department belonging to France

Cyclone Chido struck the island of Mayotte in December 2024, devastating the region situated between the African mainland and Madagascar. The cyclone caused extensive damage to infrastructure, leaving many residents, including BWI members, without adequate housing. The situation worsened with the arrival of Storm Dikeledi, which further disrupted access to essential services and made it increasingly difficult to secure basic necessities.

The BWI-affiliated FNSCBA-CGT stressed that the challenges of Mayotte are not limited to reconstruction. Access to clean water and emergency shelter remains a problem with numerous members homeless. Emergency shelters often lack sanitary and food infrastructure.

In addition to this double crisis, that of the cyclone and that of unfair and ineffective public policies. Mayotte faces uncontrolled immigration. Hence, Mayotte is considered to be the poorest department in France with  three quarters of its inhabitants living below the poverty line. The government has put in place an "emergency law" which allows for derogations from many urban planning rules to facilitate and speed up the reconstruction process. On the other hand, it does not include measures related to immigration, a sensitive issue to be debated in spring.

Marine Le Pen's visit last week drew significant crowds in every town she toured. It is worth noting that, during the second round of the European elections, the island emerged as her second-strongest base, with 59 percent of the vote in the last presidential election. This support is largely fueled by the residents' growing frustration over the unfulfilled promises of the French Presidency.

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BWI BANKING INFORMATION

Bank Name

BANQUE CLER

Bank address

6-8 Place Longemalle

1204 Genève

Switzerland

SWIFT

BCLRCHBB

Bank Account Number

IBAN CH56 0844 0246 6063 1029 0

Currency

EUR

Bank Account name

INTERNATIONALE DES TRAVAILLEURS DU BATIMENT ET DU BOIS / IBB

Address of Beneficiary

54, route des Acacias,

1227 Carouge

SWITZERLAND

Ref: Mayotte