The department of Mayotte is currently facing an unprecedented natural disaster following the passage of Cyclone Chido, which struck the island on December 14, 2024. Nearly forty reservists were deployed each week to provide reinforcements in this territory, which had been affected by a drinking water crisis in 2023 and a cholera epidemic in 2024.

To address this exceptional situation in Mayotte, in coordination with the Ministry of Health, the national agency Santé publique France has bolstered the on-site presence of experienced medical reservists, including healthcare providers in the perinatal sector (midwives, nurses, pediatric nurses), general practitioners and emergency physicians, emergency-specialized nurses, nursing assistants, logistics personnel, and mission coordinators. More than 6,500 volunteers answered the call to reinforce healthcare facilities (notably the Mamoudzou General Hospital), which were heavily impacted, and to assist the teams on the ground.

In addition, coordinated measures, led by CORRUSS of the Health Crisis Center and Santé publique France, were taken to support the mobilization of healthcare professionals on the ground. As the conditions of this mission are particularly difficult, it is necessary to exercise great vigilance and adapt to the situation. This is why, for the first time, a rear base has been established in Réunion to both create a transit zone facilitating logistics and allow reservists to rest so they can work under the best possible conditions.

Behind the scenes of a reservist’s deployment: an interview with Philippe SEGURA, acting head of the Medical Reserve

How are reservists selected to deploy to Mayotte?

The need for reinforcements in Mayotte was assessed and then forwarded by the Mayotte Regional Health Agency (ARS) to the Ministry of Health, which approved it. As soon as the call for reinforcements was issued, Santé publique France sent a mobilization alert to reservists in the required professions. Candidates are selected based on their profession, experience, and the nature of the mission. They then receive a mission order and all the necessary information for departure. To prevent burnout among personnel, given the difficult working conditions, missions are limited to 15 days, instead of the usual rotations of 3 to 4 weeks.

What are the steps to take before departure?

Before arriving in Mayotte, the reservists are welcomed at Santé publique France to be briefed on the situation, the mission’s expectations, and the particularly difficult living and housing conditions following Cyclone Chido. They then receive personal equipment (T-shirts, pants, vests, mosquito repellent, mosquito nets, etc.) necessary before departing for Réunion, the final stop before arriving at their mission site. Given the exceptional situation in Mayotte, in coordination with the Regional Health Agency (ARS) of Réunion and the Ministry, we have established a rear base in Réunion for the first time to facilitate rotations and also allow on-site teams to rest if needed.

How are they prepared and trained?

Medical reservists must adapt to conditions that are often different from their usual environment during missions. To this end, regular preparation and training are essential. Throughout the year, training sessions are organized, including theoretical courses, practical exercises, debriefings, and online educational content. These training sessions aim to develop the skills necessary to respond effectively, including:

• Responding to the unexpected;

• Providing care in challenging environments;

• Mastering equipment appropriate for health risks;

• Sharing a common culture of crisis management;

• Organizing victim care;

• Detect and prevent psychological trauma;

• Manage a living camp for reservists.

These training sessions enable reservists to develop essential reflexes and a common foundation of skills for their operations.

What resources are deployed on site, and how are the reservists supported?

Before the cyclone struck, a team of 37 medical reservists had already been deployed, primarily in perinatal care and emergency departments. These teams were severely impacted by the cyclone’s aftermath. Rotations allowed reservists to return to mainland France if they wished.

To prepare for upcoming missions and assess the situation on the ground, a team of five reservists was deployed as early as December 18 via the presidential aircraft. This team was subsequently reinforced by the arrival of six logistics personnel, tasked with setting up a secure living quarters facility near the hospital, where the reservists will be housed and provided with meals.

On site, a liaison officer accompanies each rotation and serves as the permanent point of contact with the head of the medical reserve, who is available 24/7. Psychological support is also available, with a psychologist on site and a dedicated hotline. At the end of their mission, the reservists return to the rear base on Reunion Island two or three days before their return to mainland France.