20/05/25 (Agence Europe) – Following the devastating cyclone Chido, which hit Mayotte in December 2024, the European Commission announced on Tuesday 20 May that it had granted France an advance payment of almost €24 million for this Indian Ocean archipelago located between Madagascar and the coast of Mozambique (see EUROPE 13643/16, 13628/19). This advance comes from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) “in order to ease the burden of the recovery and reconstruction efforts”, explains the Commission. This advance payment follows the application for EUSF aid submitted by France on 7 March 2025. The final amount of aid will be determined after a full assessment of the application, taking into account the funds available. (LC)