Africa-Press – Cape verde. Following the rains that caused at least eight deaths, three missing people, 12 homeless people, and property damage in São Vicente, solidarity initiatives are multiplying on the island of Santiago and in the diaspora to support the affected population.
In Santiago, young people organized through the “Nu Djunta Mon pa São Vicente” campaign, coordinated by Sidneia Gonçalves, are collecting donations in several municipalities.
“We have young people in different municipalities on the island of Santiago, such as Praia, São Domingos, Assomada, and Calheta. We publish on social media the names and contact details of the people in each location who will receive donations, whether in cash, food, clothes, shoes, or blankets,” Sidneia Gonçalves explained to Expresso das Ilhas.
According to the manager, the aid will be sent to São Vicente in two shipments, the first on Thursday the 14th and the second on Saturday the 16th.
“We’ve already received several donations, mainly from young people. We’re also planning to hold an event with several artists, and the ticket price will be a food donation. We’re waiting for more artists to support us before the event, and in the meantime, we’re looking for a venue,” she added.
Sidneia Gonçalves also called on authorities to waive transportation fees for donations.
“We don’t have the resources to send the aid, and we depend on people volunteering to carry what we can raise. I think this is something the government itself should have already considered,” she urged.
Also in Tarrafal, the Fala Tarrafal page is preparing a charity event.
“The idea is to support the people of São Vicente. The people of Tarrafal are very supportive, and there’s a businessman from São Vicente who has lived here for many years. We contacted him and decided to hold this event, involving promoters, activists, City Hall, and organizations. The funds raised will be sent to São Vicente,” said a member of the initiative.
The event will take place at Largo de Santo Amaro, a venue with a capacity of between 500 and 1,000 people, with performances by local artists who will charge no fee. Admission will be nominal, and the date is scheduled for August 30th and September 6th.
“We already have a stage and sound system, and we’ve requested a meeting with the mayor. We urge Tarrafal to embrace this event, not just Tarrafal, but the island of Santiago in general, and we ask for support nationwide and from the diaspora,” he said.
There are, however, other fundraising campaigns in Praia, both from individuals and associations. The diaspora, online, has promoted several solidarity campaigns, such as the Maense Association in Portugal. The National Association of Municipalities of Cape Verde (ANMCV) also announced a solidarity campaign in support of São Vicente and called for the creation of an Intermunicipal Solidarity Fund, a structured financing mechanism that will allow municipalities to respond more effectively to damage caused by emergencies to roads, streets, and essential infrastructure.
On Sal Island, the São Vicente Solidarity Wave campaign is also taking place, collecting clothing, non-perishable food, first aid items, and other essential items.
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