In the wake of severe flooding triggered by Tropical Storm Erin, Cape Verde's islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão are grappling with a humanitarian crisis as the government mobilizes resources for recovery efforts.
Cape Verde Faces Humanitarian Crisis Following Catastrophic Floods
Cape Verde Faces Humanitarian Crisis Following Catastrophic Floods
Cape Verde has declared a state of emergency after devastating floods claimed at least nine lives and displaced 1,500 residents.
The islands of Cape Verde are reeling from the impact of a state of emergency declared amidst deadly floods that have left nine individuals dead and forced over 1,500 residents to flee their homes. This drastic situation arose following Tropical Storm Erin, which unleashed torrential rains, with São Vicente receiving 193mm (7.6in) in just five hours—a figure that surpasses its annual precipitation average.
Deputy Prime Minister Olavo Correia characterized the floods as "catastrophic," highlighting the urgent need for crisis funds and infrastructure repairs. As rescue operations continue, officials are actively searching for missing persons while assessing the extensive damage to roads, homes, and vehicles.
Ester Brito from the meteorological institute described the extreme weather as unprecedented, emphasizing that the rainfall levels recorded are well above the historical averages noted over the past three decades. Without the necessary radar equipment, the country struggled to predict such severe weather events.
Interior Minister Paulo Rocha recounted the harrowing experience of the night the floods struck, referring to it as a time marked by "panic and despair." Community organizer Alveno Yali from São Vicente shared distressing accounts of the heavy rains and strong winds that fueled the flash floods, leading to significant material and infrastructural losses.
In response to the disaster, the passionate Cape Verdean diaspora—particularly in France, Luxembourg, Portugal, and the US—has initiated rapid fundraising campaigns, collecting tens of thousands of euros to provide essential supplies like food, water, and hygiene products. Andreia Levy, president of the aid organization Hello Cabo Verde based in France, stated that the entire diaspora community is mobilized and intends to deliver aid directly to those in need.
As the nation confronts this dual challenge of humanitarian need and environmental crisis, the focus now centers on recovery and rebuilding efforts for the affected islands.
Deputy Prime Minister Olavo Correia characterized the floods as "catastrophic," highlighting the urgent need for crisis funds and infrastructure repairs. As rescue operations continue, officials are actively searching for missing persons while assessing the extensive damage to roads, homes, and vehicles.
Ester Brito from the meteorological institute described the extreme weather as unprecedented, emphasizing that the rainfall levels recorded are well above the historical averages noted over the past three decades. Without the necessary radar equipment, the country struggled to predict such severe weather events.
Interior Minister Paulo Rocha recounted the harrowing experience of the night the floods struck, referring to it as a time marked by "panic and despair." Community organizer Alveno Yali from São Vicente shared distressing accounts of the heavy rains and strong winds that fueled the flash floods, leading to significant material and infrastructural losses.
In response to the disaster, the passionate Cape Verdean diaspora—particularly in France, Luxembourg, Portugal, and the US—has initiated rapid fundraising campaigns, collecting tens of thousands of euros to provide essential supplies like food, water, and hygiene products. Andreia Levy, president of the aid organization Hello Cabo Verde based in France, stated that the entire diaspora community is mobilized and intends to deliver aid directly to those in need.
As the nation confronts this dual challenge of humanitarian need and environmental crisis, the focus now centers on recovery and rebuilding efforts for the affected islands.
