Praia, Aug. 19, 2025 (Lusa) - Ports of Cabo Verde (Enapor) announced on Tuesday that all donations sent by sea to São Vicente qualify for full port-fee exemptions after the storm that caused nine deaths.

“All donations sent by sea, whether national or international, qualify for full port-fee exemptions. The exemption applies provided that Customs duly checks the goods and verifies their origin and destination for donation purposes,” it said in a statement.

Because land transport presents challenges and several warehouses have suffered damage, Enapor has also decided to extend the period of free container storage at Porto Grande in Mindelo to 30 days.

The measures will remain in force for three months and aim to facilitate the shipment of essential goods to the affected populations and support local economic operators and traders in recovering from the effects of the weather.

The floods, which occurred a week ago, left neighbourhoods flooded, rebuilt roads and bridges, and affected commercial establishments and the power supply, and one person remains missing.

The Cabo Verdean government has declared a state of emergency for six months in São Vicente, Porto Novo (Santo Antão) and the two municipalities of São Nicolau.

In addition, the authorities have approved a strategic response plan that includes emergency support for families, as well as for economic activities, with subsidised credit lines and non-repayable grants, justifying the decision with the “dramatic, exceptional situation”.

The government will use resources from the National Emergency Fund and the Sovereign Emergency Fund, created in 2019 precisely to respond to natural disasters or the impact of external economic shocks.

RS/ADB // ADB.

Lusa