‘Mutual aid in times of crisis’ collection: case study France (La Réunion), December 2025

15/12/2025

The last in a series of six, the case study in La Réunion focuses on the dynamics of citizen mutual aid during cyclone episodes, particularly in 2022 and 2024. On the island of La Réunion, which is highly exposed to tropical cyclones, cyclonic events reveal successive forms of solidarity, ranging from spontaneous local mutual aid to more organised and sometimes sustainable initiatives. However, these dynamics tend to weaken under the effect of individualisation, the loss of memory of past events, and social and territorial inequalities. The relationship between citizen initiatives and institutional relief efforts remains ambivalent, often hampered by top-down approaches and weak pre-existing ties. Despite this, mutual aid remains a key lever of resilience, calling for greater recognition and coordination between civil society and institutions in the face of intensifying climate risks.