Africa-Press – Cape verde. The government will “necessarily” reevaluate a document drafted in international partnership prior to the occurrence of Storm Erin on August 11th, regarding the flood risks in São Vicente, Minister Paulo Rocha admitted.
The Minister of Internal Affairs, who was assessing the work done by the Crisis Office following the storm, said that now “the important thing” is to understand the reality of São Vicente and, given climate change, understand the future and the measures to be implemented.
For now, he said, “it is essential” to maintain focus and continue moving toward implementing emergency and recovery programs with increased resilience.
Paulo Rocha was referring to the Strategic Response Plan, “approved from the outset” by the government, which integrates both programs.
The emergency plan, he said, still needs to complete the permanent housing of the 255 people who make up 103 families who were displaced.
However, the same source emphasized, even before concluding the emergency program, the Government has already begun a recovery program to increase resilience, assessing the losses and damage, or a post-disaster assessment.
This will be concluded with the publication of an official document and aims to prepare a more resilient response so that São Vicente can return to normal.
“Right now, the priority is to leave São Vicente as well-organized, clean, and beautiful as it was before, and then work more deeply, extending the necessary responses over time to make the island more resilient,” summarized the Minister of Internal Administration.
Storm Erin, which struck in the early hours of August 11th, flooded neighborhoods, destroyed roads and commercial establishments, affected the power and water supply, and caused nine deaths, with two people missing.
Subsequently, the Government declared a state of emergency for six months in São Vicente, Porto Novo (Santo Antão), and the municipalities of São Nicolau.
A response plan was approved with emergency support for families and economic activities, including subsidized credit lines and non-refundable funds, financed by the National Emergency Fund and the Sovereign Emergency Fund, created in 2019.
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