Cyclone Chido caused significant destruction when it struck the Comoros islands of Anjouan and Mohéli on December 14, 2024. The storm followed its path from Mayotte, leading to floods, landslides, blackouts, and homelessness for many residents. Chief Ali Athoumane of Dzuani village described the devastation: “Many houses have been severely damaged, some have even disappeared entirely, leaving nothing but bare land.”
Comoros is among the most climate-vulnerable countries globally, with over half of its population living in high-risk areas. Climate change has increased the frequency and severity of natural disasters in this region. Cyclone Chido's impact was particularly severe for small farmers who rely on subsistence agriculture.
In response to the cyclone's aftermath, Comorian authorities worked with the World Bank to provide emergency relief swiftly. This rapid action was supported by Comoros’s operational and financial emergency response system designed from lessons learned from past disasters.
In September 2024, Comoros joined the Regional Emergency Preparedness and Access to Inclusive Recovery Program (REPAIR) alongside Madagascar and Mozambique. This initiative is part of a partnership between African Risk Capacity Limited (ARC Ltd) and the World Bank to strengthen financial preparedness for climate disasters across Africa.
Comoros was the first country to activate REPAIR during an emergency, highlighting that timely assistance is crucial alongside funding. Effective coordination among ministries, civil protection agencies, and local communities played a vital role in delivering aid.
As Boubacar-Sid Barry noted as Country Manager for Comoros: "The reality is that no one ever knows when the next disaster will strike. But what we do know is that preparedness saves lives."
Looking forward, Comoros aims to improve its resilience by investing further in climate readiness with ARC Ltd experts' help. In March 2025, it plans to share its experiences at a regional workshop focused on disaster risk finance in South Africa.
The efforts towards resilience are seen as essential steps for vulnerable nations like Comoros facing future natural disasters through collaboration and innovation.
This article was prepared by Boubacar-Sid Barry, Caroline Cerruti, Noro Andriamihaja, and Lucas Herzog.