After Cyclone Chido struck the French overseas department of Mayotte on 14 December 2024, the island suffered significant damage to infrastructure, communications networks and public services. In response, the French Ministry of the Interior activated the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) to request additional support, including emergency communications capacity for crisis management and field operations.

Luxembourg, through emergency.lu and the Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, deployed two emergency.lu satellite connectivity modules to reinforce operational communications in the affected areas. These systems provided secure and reliable internet and voice connectivity for emergency responders working under challenging post‑cyclone conditions where terrestrial networks were degraded or unavailable.

The Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps (CGDIS) transported the modules to Paris on 30 December 2024, where they were transferred to French authorities for onward deployment to Mayotte. The systems were operated on‑site by two French firefighters, who had recently completed an emergency.lu training programme in Luxembourg on satellite communications and humanitarian connectivity, enabling them to manage installation, configuration and day‑to‑day operation of the equipment.

To further support operations, Luxembourg deployed an “emergency.lu technical toolbox”, providing spare parts, tools and specialised accessories needed to maintain the systems during the intervention. Once emergency operations concluded, the toolbox was repatriated to Luxembourg via IOM/DB Schenker‑managed air freight, ensuring a smooth and fully coordinated logistics chain.

This mission reinforced emergency response capacity in Mayotte during a critical period, while demonstrating effective operational partnership between Luxembourg, France and the European Union under the Civil Protection Mechanism.