Mayotte: Amidst criticism, Emmanuel Macron defends the state's actions

"I cannot allow it to be said... that the state has failed here," declared French President Emmanuel Macron upon his arrival on Thursday in cyclone-hit Mayotte.

President Macron visited the ndian Ocean archipelago, a French territory, to assess the extent of the disaster and offer his support to the people of Mayotte, five days after the devastating passage of Cyclone Chido.

He also announced plans to "rebuild" Mayotte, while also calling for a "strengthening of the fight against illegal immigration" in the territory.

Macron arrived with a small delegation, including around twenty doctors, nurses, logisticians, and civil security personnel, as well as with four tonnes of food and medical supplies.

Upon his arrival, Assane Haloi, an employee at the security of the Petite-Terre airport where the president landed, urged Macron to extend his stay on French soil and to find emergency solutions and assistance.

"Please, not solutions, but urgent assistance, urgently. Take your time, stay with us, give us solutions and emergency aid. There is nothing left in Mayotte," she pleaded.

"There are no roofs, there is nothing. No water, no food, no electricity. We can't even shelter. We and our children are all drenched from the rain, and we cover ourselves with what we have so we can sleep," she said, asking for emergency help.

Emmanuel Macron boarded a helicopter for an aerial assessment of the damage. He then went to a hospital in Mamoudzou, the capital of Mayotte, to meet with medical staff and patients. A French Navy ship was also expected to arrive with 180 tonnes of aid and equipment, according to the French military.

Some residents also expressed their anxiety about not knowing whether people have died or gone missing, particularly due