No

Droughts have never occurred in Comoros so far and is not considered as a risk in the national contingency plan.

No

While some weak shakes have been recorded in Mayotte, there has never been any earthquake in Comoros and it is not considered as a threat.

Yes

Considered as the main threat by the authorities, the epidemiological profile of the country remains dominated by malaria, diarrheal diseases, intestinal parasites, and acute respiratory infections. These diseases cause high morbidity and mortality, especially for children under 5 and pregnant women.

Over the last twenty years, the country has been affected by several health crises such as epidemics of dengue (1993), cholera (1998, 2001, 2007-2008), or chikungunya (2005). These outbreaks are largely due to an environment that is conducive to the development of pathogens, or linked to the dumping of garbage in cities and villages.

No

Located just south of the equator, the islands of the Comoros have a tropical maritime climate, characterized by two distinct seasons depending on precipitation. A hot and humid season between December and April and a relatively cool season between May and November.

Average temperatures throughout the year are relatively constant with a high in the range of 32–34 °C in December/January and a low in the range of 16–25 °C in July/August.

Yes

Flooding occur regularly during the rainy / cyclonic season but the risks for urban areas to be affected remain quite low.

On April 12, 2012, heavy rains poured large amounts of water onto the surface of the islands that triggered floods and caused major damage in several parts of the country. Road infrastructure has been significantly damaged. About 65,000 people, or 10% of the population, were affected. Several families lost all their belongings and had to be evacuated and placed in foster homes across the country. Houses, livestock, agricultural parcels, and several activities ensuring the daily life of communities in the affected areas have not been spared. The damage has been estimated at more than 3 billion KMF. Three people lost their lives.

In 2015, torrential rains have caused immense runoff that cut off the Tsidje road and threatened the northern area of the capital, Moroni. The spectre of impending floods has caused panic in the population living in these areas.

No

N/A

Yes

Mudslide happen frequently, especially during the cyclone season or after heavy rains. In 2014 in Anjouan, 300 people were evacuated and lost their houses.

Yes

Moroni is situated at the foot of Mount Karthala, 10 kilometers (6 miles) northwest from the volcano's crater. The 2,361-metre (7,746 ft.) high active volcano is reported to be one of the largest active volcanoes in the world, with a diameter of about 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) and erupting approximately every eleven years over the past 200 years.

The eruption of 2005 caused displacement of a large number of people due to volcanic ash.

Volcanic eruption is considered as the threat number 2 in the country contingency plan.

Yes

High waves and surges are common in Comoros, especially from December to April (Cyclonic season).

During the last cyclone Kenneth, strong gusts of wind near 200 km/h created a strong swell, with an average height of 5 meters, with waves up to 10 meters.

Yes

Wildfires are quite common due to some villagers burning land to produce charcoal for their domestic’s consumption.

Yes

The Comoro Islands have little experience with tropical cyclones since the islands lie very close to the equator, between 11 and 13 degrees south latitude. According to EM-DAT, the Comoros have endured only three damaging tropical cyclones since the 80s.

The deadliest and most destructive was Tropical Cyclone Elinah which passed through the islands as a tropical storm with 136 to 193 kph winds on Jan. 11, 1983, killing 33 people and causing $23 million in damages.

All 33 deaths occurred when a huge wave swept 40 people on the island of Anjouan into the water.

Thirteen years after, Doloresse, a Category 1 tropical cyclone, which passed 40 miles west of the northern Comoros Islands on 17 February 1996, has caused extensive damage.

Then, on April 23, 2019, tropical cyclone Kenneth (the third satellite-era system to evolve to a moderate or higher tropical storm stage in the area north of the Mozambique Channel, according to Météo-France) caused 7 dead, 182 injured, 19,372 displaced, 4,482 homes destroyed and 7,013 homes damaged

The Comoros archipelago, due to its geographical position and geological situation is vulnerable to various natural hazards. In the past years it has been affected by calamities such as tropical storms, floods, cholera epidemics, and volcano eruptions. Risks of floods and cyclones are persistent. Additional factors, as soil impermeabilization due to the volcano ash, and the landslides provoked by massive deforestation are elements that multiply the damaging effects of the heavy rains and transform them into floods. All these factors put all three islands at risk of infrastructure and crop destruction. Climate change is increasing frequency and intensity of these natural hazards. Grande Comore, the main island is dominated by the active volcano Karthala, 2361 m high.

Shipwreck is one of the important issues to note as well, many cases have been reported these years between the three islands, and between Anjouan and Mayotte. Commercial ships or boats used for this trip don’t meet all requirements, causing frequent accidents.

Yes

Comoros has had 20 military coups on its government since independence in 1975. Its instability is almost matched by its poverty; as listed by the IMF, the Comoros ranks 166th out of 183 countries.

In 2019, political parties have been striking for political issues and some of the demonstrators and opposition leaders have been arrested and put in jail.

No

In November 1975, the Comoros became the 143rd member of the United Nations. The new nation was defined as comprising the entire archipelago, although the citizens of Mayotte chose to become French citizens and keep their island as a French territory.

The Comoros has repeatedly pressed its claim to Mayotte before the United Nations General Assembly, which adopted a series of resolutions under the caption "Question of the Comorian Island of Mayotte", opining that Mayotte belongs to the Comoros under the principle that the territorial integrity of colonial territories should be preserved upon independence.

To close the debate and to avoid being integrated by force in the Union of the Comoros, the population of Mayotte overwhelmingly chose to become an overseas department and a region of France in a 2009 referendum. 

Despite the Mayotte issue, a defense treaty with France provides naval resources for protection of territorial waters, training of Comorian military personnel, and air surveillance.

No

N/A

No

N/A

No

N/A

Despite political demonstrations and social strikes, Comoros is a peaceful country with no particular security problems.

N/A

N/A

Bulk cargo can't be transshipped during the rainy season in Moroni port.

Nov - May

N/A

N/A

Yes, since 01-07-1993

No

No

No, but telecommunication equipment used for disaster mitigation and relief operation can obtain exemption from custom duty through a request to COSEP.

No

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Origin Certificate

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