Africa-Press – Cape verde. The president of the Cape Verde Red Cross (CVCV), Arlindo de Carvalho, is on an official mission to the island of São Vicente, accompanied by Sadrack Matanda, a representative of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
According to a statement from the Cape Verde Red Cross, this trip is part of the strengthening of the humanitarian response to communities affected by the heavy rains recorded on August 11th.
“The mission also includes on-the-ground assessments, coordination with volunteers and partners, as well as the mobilization of resources and logistical support for the cleaning of affected homes. The CVCV is also strengthening its operational presence by sending volunteers and resources to meet the emerging needs of the population,” he noted.
During his stay on the island, the CVCV President will learn about the work carried out by the Red Cross Disaster Office, which is on the ground responding to the floods that occurred on August 11th.
The agenda includes meetings with the President of the National Civil Protection Service, with whom he will conduct assessment visits, with the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System, with the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Brazil, and a visit to the Shelter Center at the Augusto Pinto School.
The same source indicates that this week, the Cape Verde Red Cross officially assumed coordination of the Monte Sossego Shelter Center, as part of its mission to assist public authorities.
“In response to the Crisis Office’s request, the CVCV has made three full-time volunteers available to support operations at the Augusto Pinto School, ensuring meal distribution and daily attendance monitoring,” he emphasizes.
In this regard, it indicates that a nurse is also mobilized, and the possibility of providing occasional psychological support to the sheltered individuals is also being evaluated.
The Cape Verde Red Cross guarantees that food at the Monte Sossego Center will be provided by the São Vicente City Council and the Portuguese Navy ship, NRP Sines, with the Red Cross handling the logistics of transporting the meals.
Also as part of its community support, the institution provided two vehicles, a rented Hiace and a Toyota pickup truck, to support artist and social activist Edson Silva (Batchart) and a group of volunteers in removing debris and mud from the affected homes.
According to the CVCV, this logistical support will continue for a week. Concurrently, resource mobilization efforts are underway with international partners.
“Italian volunteer Simone Magrin is helping to communicate CVCV’s activities and raise donations, particularly from companies in Germany and TUI. The representative of Christian Rationalism in São Vicente, Santo Antão, also expressed his willingness to channel support from abroad to the Red Cross,” he reports.
The Red Cross states that it still has three volunteers assigned to the Crisis Office’s assessment team, reinforcing data collection on the ground. “With these actions, the Cape Verde Red Cross reaffirms its commitment to the affected populations, strengthening collaboration with local authorities, partners, and volunteers, and ensuring a supportive, effective, and coordinated response.”
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