On August 12, 2025, severe floods in Cape Verde, resulting from heavy rains led to the declaration of a state of emergency to the West African island nation. After talking about the deaths, as well as the destruction of properties throughout the archipelago, Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva made the emergency announcement.
The flood has taken lives of no less than 16 people in addition to displacing thousands of residents.
Consequently, the islands of Santiago and São Vicente are still powerful with the trouble they have suffered, and the roads, housing, as well as public infrastructures, are already widely destroyed. Emergency housing has been set up for those families who have had to evacuate their homes and are now homeless.
The government sent in rescue teams, soldiers, and doctors to conduct relief work in all the areas hit by the disaster. Moreover, the Prime Minister, Mr. Silva, after he had toured the scene, gave us the information that the government is presently collaborating with international agencies, a case in point, the United Nations, to get more humanitarian resources and assistance.
Due to its geographical location, a volcanic ten-island archipelago, Cape Verde is prone to heavy seasonal downpours that usually take place from August to October. This year’s rains, which brought about flash floods and landslides, have been described by the local authorities as very intense and that they have affected most parts.
The residents of these areas that are particularly prone to disasters have been warned to evacuate straight away.
Relief activities are presently directed at paving the ways and rewiring the water system to the areas that were affected by the floods, also food, medicine, and blankets are being distributed to those who are most in need.
The government is making an appeal for the people’s support in the solidarity fight as well as that of the international community to give a helping hand to the recovery and rebuilding that will go on for months to come.
