Friday, January 17, 2025, the Departmental Assembly of Alpes-Maritimes, chaired by Charles Ange Ginésy, voted for an exceptional aid of €100,000 in favor of Mayotte. This amount aims to support the populations affected by Cyclone Chido, which devastated the archipelago on December 14, causing significant human and material damage.
During this session, Charles Ange Ginésy reiterated the importance of solidarity between departments in the face of natural disasters. *”Just over a month ago, Cyclone Chido violently hit the department of Mayotte, causing numerous human and material damages. In response to this disaster, the Department of Alpes-Maritimes demonstrates its solidarity with compatriots by unanimously voting for aid of €100,000 to notably support the schoolchildren of the archipelago with the delivery of school supplies.”*
The president also mentioned the support that Alpes-Maritimes received during the storms [Alex in 2020](https://www.nicepremium.fr/actualite/solidarite-face-a-la-tempete-alex-remises-de-dons-a-destination-des-sinistres30343/) and [Aline in 2023](https://www.nicepremium.fr/actualite/tempete-aline-le-departement-des-alpes-maritimes-lance-un-fonds-durgence/). He insisted on the duty to be present for other territories in difficulty.
A strained budget for 2025
This exceptional aid was decided while the Departmental Council was discussing the main orientations of the 2025 budget. Two priorities were set: maintaining investments at €230 million and reducing operational expenses by €15 million.
Charles Ange Ginésy specified that these savings would be achieved through stabilization of the payroll, phasing out of certain works, and a review of subsidies. This strategy raised questions, particularly from the opposition. *”We are concerned about the savings,”* explains Marie-Louise Gourdon, PS councilor. *”Will it affect social services?”*
Despite the stated commitments, other elected officials express their doubts. Caroline Migliore, from the Republican Rally group, criticized the feasibility of the announced investments: *”Planning to spend €230 million necessarily means not spending that amount. Therefore, our investments will be less for 2025.”*
In this constrained budgetary context, the aid voted for [Mayotte](https://www.nicepremium.fr/actualite/les-alpes-maritimes-solidaires-avec-mayotte-apres-le-cyclone-chido/) nevertheless illustrates a strong commitment to solidarity. A decision that reflects the bonds forged between departments in facing common challenges.