Emmanuel Macron in Réunion: Between Health Emergency and Strategic Ambitions

Continuing his tour of the Indian Ocean after a visit to Mayotte, Emmanuel Macron arrived in Réunion on the evening of Monday, April 21, as the island grapples with a dual crisis: an unprecedented chikungunya outbreak and the heavy damage caused by Cyclone Garance.

A Health System Under Pressure

The island is facing a surge in chikungunya cases, a disease transmitted by the tiger mosquito, which has already affected nearly 100,000 people this year and caused six deaths. Réunion’s healthcare system is under severe strain. The Félix-Guyon University Hospital (CHU) activated its emergency plan in early April due to a surge in patients and a lack of medical personnel. Emergency services are receiving 30 to 40 patients daily, raising fears of overload.

The President is expected to meet with medical teams and mosquito control workers. He will be joined by Health Minister Yannick Neuder to assess the need for reinforcements. Local voices are raising concerns: “Once again, we’re a step behind,” says Gabriel Mélade, head of the CGTR Santé union. Regional Council President Huguette Bello denounces a sense of neglect: “We’re not asking for the moon—just the resources our hospital deserves.”

A vaccination campaign began in early April with 40,000 doses of the Ixchiq vaccine, prioritized for those over 65 with underlying health conditions.

An Island Struck by Climate Disasters

Still recovering from Cyclone Bilal in 2024, Réunion was hit again on February 28 by Cyclone Garance, causing over €250 million in damages—€150 million in agriculture alone. Sugarcane, which covers more than half of the island’s farmland, was particularly hard hit. On Tuesday, the President will meet with farmers to assess the damage and discuss emergency aid.

Reaffirming Regional Leadership

Beyond the crisis response, Emmanuel Macron aims to reaffirm “Réunion’s strategic role in the Indo-Pacific region.” As an economic engine of France’s overseas territories, the island is positioned to play a central role in regional dynamics. On Thursday, the President will attend the Indian Ocean Commission summit in Madagascar, alongside Mauritius, the Comoros, Seychelles, and Madagascar—though Mayotte remains excluded due to ongoing diplomatic tensions with the Comoros.

“The regional scale is the key to better preparedness for climate challenges,” the Elysée stated. With two major cyclones in two years, the resilience of overseas territories has become more urgent than ever.