The decision comes in the wake of Storm Erin, which affected several islands in the archipelago, and is part of a national project already developed and currently in the funding phase. Paulo Rocha was speaking during the review of the São Vicente recovery program.
“We are talking about heavy debris removal machinery, we are talking about tanker trucks, fire-fighting vehicles, personal protective equipment, we are also talking about rescue equipment, extrication equipment, helmets, uniforms, all the material necessary for a robust national civil protection system, in the face of the challenges of climate change,” he pointed out.
On the same occasion, the minister clarified the compensation process for vehicles damaged during the storm. Of the 178 requests registered, 51 did not meet the requirements due to lack of mandatory insurance, abandonment on public roads, or prior compensation from insurance companies. 97 compensation processes have already been completed, corresponding to approximately 36 million escudos, and the owners will begin receiving payments next week.
“There are still 30 requests pending, whose files are not yet finalized. I would also like to draw attention to the need for people to submit any missing documents. For example, in some cases, there are still no invoices or other basic documents such as a tax identification number (NIF) or bank statement, which are necessary for us to close the process,” he stated.
The Government today presented, in São Vicente, an update on the implementation of the post-storm Erin program, which occurred on August 11, 2025.