Réunion

In Réunion, the health and medical-social sector faces a number of challenges. For AFD in Saint-Denis, it is the main area of operation with €220 million invested. The aim is to improve healthcare provision in terms of intake and services to address the island’s demographic and social challenges. 

AFD is closely engaged with the needs of the people of Réunion to help improve their daily lives. It contributes to strengthening hospital services by supporting the renovation of Réunion University Hospital (CHUR), ranked 11th nationally; the creation of the mother-and-child unit at the CHUR site in Saint-Pierre; the construction of the new Western Réunion Hospital Center (CHOR); and the Réunion Public Mental Health Facility.

We also support the health and social care sector by working with the French Red Cross to renovate care and support facilities; the Association for the Protection and Support of Children and Youth (AAPEJ) to improve conditions for young people in difficulty; La Halte du Père Grienenberger to provide palliative care for the most vulnerable; ADAPEI to support people with disabilities; and AMARE to provide shelter and services for adolescent mothers.

Located along the cyclone belt, Réunion is directly affected by climate change. Since 2018, Agence Française de Développement (AFD) has been issuing “transition” loans to support both climate change mitigation and adaptation across three priority sectors:

• Transport: In response to pollution and traffic congestion caused by private car use, AFD supports carpooling initiatives, soft mobility solutions, regional bus network integration, the first aerial tramway in the French Overseas Departments, and new corridors for high-level bus service.
• Energy: To help Réunion move toward energy self-sufficiency, AFD backs renewable energy projects led by local authorities and businesses. Following the Bardzour solar project in 2013 and the Territorial Climate-Air-Energy Plans, AFD has financed Albioma to convert household waste into electricity. Since 2022, AFD has also awarded 13 grants under the Building Energy Efficiency Program (PEEB), totaling nearly €500,000.
• Waste: AFD supports waste treatment and recovery projects. It has financed Ileva, the waste management union for the island’s western and southern regions, to bring its facilities up to standard, and supported SEM SYDNE in studies related to waste sorting and processing at the Valoré site.

Climate, biodiversity, natural risks, blue economy, health. The Indian Ocean islands face similar challenges stakes related to inclusive growth. 

Building on its presence in the territories, AFD is stepping up its support in the Indian Ocean and creating a regional partnership platform. The objective: take action together to build solutions that provide opportunities for the people of each territory.

We support projects which depend on local expertise, such regional epidemic surveillance, a pooled response to natural risks or adaptation to climate change.