Cape Verde: Red Cross helps flood-affected communities recover and rebuild

Four months ago, the islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão in Cape Verde were hit by torrential rains brought by Tropical Storm Erin. Within hours, streets turned into raging torrents, sweeping away everything in their path.Thousands of homes and critical infrastructure were destroyed or severely damaged. Without strong national and international solidarity, and a rapid, coordinated response, many affected families would not have been able to cope with the impact.In Bela Vista, one of the hardest-hit neighbourhoods of Covada de Bruxa in São Vicente, the visible signs of the floods have slowly faded, but the invisible scars remain.Beyond the appearance of a return to normalcy, thousands of families continue to grapple with the long-term impacts of the disaster, struggling each day to rebuild their lives and restore their dignity.“When the flooding began, I wasn’t at home,” recalls Vera Lucia Andrade, a mother of six and a street vendor. “I ran back to try to save my child, who had stayed behind, and a few belongings, but the water was already everywhere.”A vital emergency responseIn the immediate aftermath of the floods, the Cape Verde Red Cross, supported by the IFRC, sprang into action. Hundreds of volunteers worked alongside local authorities to assist affected communities.The IFRC launched anemergency appeal for 3 million Swiss francs and mobilized 565,000 Swiss francs from its Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the Cape Verde Red Cross in assisting those affected. Specialized teams, including Emergency Response Units (ERUs), were also deployed to strengthen the response.So far, more than 1,000 families have received assistance, including food kits and essential household items, while over 470 families have benefited from health support. Hygiene promotion activities have also reached more than 8,400 people, helping communities safeguard their health and well-being.Supporting the recovery of the most vulnerable familiesAs the emergency phase gradually transitions to recovery, efforts are now focused on restoring livelihoods. Some 580 households in São Vicente and Santo Antão have begun receiving cash assistance of 26,000 Cape Verdean escudos (CVE), or 235 euros, to help meet their basic needs.For Vera Lucia, head of household, this support is vital.“I truly appreciate the support from the Red Cross,”she says. “As a street vendor, I had not been able to work since the floods. With the money I received, I will be able to restart and expand my small business and provide for my family. I also hope later to build a protective wall behind my house to better withstand future floods.”Beyond cash assistance, the Cape Verde Red Cross, with support from the IFRC, is also helping to rehabilitate community water supply systems severely damaged by the floods in Santo Antão. Restoring these infrastructures is essential to prevent the risk of waterborne diseases and strengthen community resilience.“Here in Ribeira Da Cruz, people rely for potable water from the spring water catchment which has hardly affected,”says Vincenzo Buccheri, Team Leader of the ERU Water Supply Rehabilitation. “Thanks to our Cash for Work program, the community is rehabilitating infrastructure without the need for external contractors,”“We provide the materials, while residents, 50 per cent men and 50 per cent women, carry out the work themselves. This approach not only strengthens community resilience but also ensures sustainable ownership of the infrastructure.”Maintaining the momentum of solidarityFor Julio Mondlane, IFRC Operations Manager in Cape Verde, transitioning from emergency response to recovery requires sustained commitment.“The emergency response met the immediate needs of many communities,”he says. “Now, our priority is to help families recover sustainably and restore their livelihoods, while strengthening the Country Early Warning Early Actions Systems. This takes time, resources, and continued support from donors and partners. Without it, the most vulnerable communities risk remaining trapped in the crisis.”

IFRC launches emergency appeal to respond to devastating floods in Cape Verde

Praia/Nairobi/Geneva, 29 August 2025 – Heavy rains brought by Tropical Storm Erin on the night of 10–11 August unleashed devastating flash floods across Cape Verde, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 people, with 5 still missing.More than 119, 000 people have been affected mainly due to damage to water systems, with over 5,500 households severely impacted, and the floods causing the displacement of 1,500 people in São Vicente.Thousands of homes have been destroyed or severely damaged, leaving many to seek refuge with relatives, neighbours, or in temporary shelters. Livelihoods have also been decimated, plunging already vulnerable households into deeper crisis.The scale of destruction has prompted the government to declare a state of emergency and two days of national mourning. Arlindo Carvalho, President of the Cape Verde Red Cross, says: “The scenes following the floods in São Vicente are heartbreaking. In just a few hours, the torrential rains turned streets into raging torrents, devastating everything in their path. Many families have lost everything.”The floods have also caused extensive damage to critical infrastructure. Five bridges have been destroyed, over 60 kilometres of roads damaged, and health facilities badly hit, including the complete loss of vaccines in São Vicente and partial losses elsewhere. Markets and supermarkets were also inundated with flood water, compounding the situation.A major and growing concern is the collapse of the central water supply system, leaving thousands without access to safe drinking water. In a nation already struggling with prolonged drought and food insecurity, the disruption poses a severe threat of waterborne disease outbreaks.The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is launching an emergency appeal for 3 million Swiss francs to support the Cape Verde Red Cross in responding to the urgent humanitarian needs of 40,000 affected people.The funds will be used to deliver life-saving assistance, including shelter, essential household items, cash, food, clean water, and sanitation services. To support the immediate response, the IFRC has released CHF 565,565 from its disaster response emergency fund (DREF). Specialist teams have also been deployed to reinforce local response efforts.Alexandre Claudon de Vernisy, IFRC Head of Delegation for Cape Verde, Gambia, Mauritania, and Senegal says:“The scale of this disaster demands an urgent and robust response. It impacts every facet of life—shelter, food, water, sanitation, and livelihoods. The needs are vast, and immediate action is essential. With more rain forecasts in the coming weeks, swift intervention is critical to avert further suffering”.For more information or to set up interview, please contact: [email protected] Praia: Veronica Ramos Oliveira Custódio, +238 954 33 00/913 42 46 In Dakar: Moustapha Diallo, +221 77 450 10 04In Nairobi: Susan Mbalu, +254 733 827 654In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa +41 79 708 43 67 Hannah Copeland +41 76 236 9109

Cape Verde: Floods

Torrential rains triggered deadly flash floods across São Vicente and Santo Antão in Cape Verde, leaving over 119,000 people affected, with homes destroyed, health facilities flooded, and communities cut off. Thousands have lost access to safe water, food, and healthcare, while more heavy rains remain a looming threat. The Red Cross of Cape Verde, supported by the IFRC, is providing emergency relief, clean water, shelter, and health support but urgently needs resources to reach more families in crisis.

Cape Verde: Thousands of people devastated by sudden, severe floods

For many inhabitants of the Cape Verde archipelago, the night of 10-11 August 2025 will never be forgotten. Never before had they faced such devastation. In just a few hours, torrential rains brought by Tropical Storm Erin turned streets into raging torrents, triggered landslides, and destroyed vital infrastructure.Countless homes were destroyed or severely damaged, and the livelihoods of hundreds of families were wiped out. At least nine people lost their lives, and thousands were forced to seek refuge with relatives, neighbours, or in temporary shelters after losing everything.“My house collapsed in just a few hours. My children lost everything… and so did I,” says Alcídia dos Reis Fortes, a mother of five now sheltering in a school converted into a reception centre managed by the Red Cross.In the face of such destruction, the government declared a state of emergency and two days of national mourning. The islands of São Vicente and São Antão have been the hardest hit.Red Cross volunteers in Cape Verde were mobilized as soon as the first warnings were issued.“We immediately informed communities and helped evacuate families at risk,” explains Jamilson José Dos Santos Rodrigues, a volunteer, youth representative and currently head of operations for the local committee in São Vicente. He has been on the ground with a Red Cross team since the first hours of the disaster.The floods also caused the collapse of the central water supply system, leaving thousands without access to safe drinking water. In a country already weakened by drought and food insecurity, this disruption poses a serious additional threat: the spread of waterborne diseases.“Many families have nothing left to drink or cook with. We are distributing emergency kits, drinking water, and clothing, as well as providing psychosocial support. But the needs are far greater than what we can cover,” says Jamilson.“Today, every vital sector is affected—shelter, water, health, and food. International support is essential to meet the scale of this crisis,” stresses Sadrack Matanda, an emergency preparedness and response specialist deployed by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support the Cape Verde Red Cross.As an initial response, the IFRC plans to release emergency funds to assist affected families by providing shelter, water and sanitation services, and livelihood support. Shelter and water and sanitation specialists will also be deployed to strengthen the response.“We are continuing our assessments and do not rule out launching an emergency appeal to help communities overcome this unprecedented crisis,” Sadrack added.On 13 August, the Cape Verde Red Cross launched the national campaign #ReconstruirComEsperança to support affected.

Cape Verde: floods

Red Cross of Cape Verde