Praia, Aug. 26, 2025 (Lusa) - Cabo Verde's government announced on Tuesday that families displaced on the island of São Vicente after the storm, which caused nine deaths, will benefit from indefinite rental contracts, with no rent for the first year.
"In this indefinite lease, people are exempt from paying rent for one year, exactly as support for the damage caused by the rains. This work will be carried out in the next few days by the Real Estate, Land and Habitat Agency (IFH) and the City Council," Crisis Office spokeswoman Vitória Veríssimo announced at a press conference.
These families, in an emergency housing situation, will be installed in flats in the IFH housing complex in Ribeira de Julião, and will be provided with safe and stable housing.
At the same time, the government is preparing the definitive rehousing and rehabilitation of around 300 damaged houses, including families living in risk areas or in relatives' homes.
Some houses will have to be demolished because they don't meet safety standards, following a technical assessment of the dwellings.
According to the Minister for Family, Inclusion and Social Development, Fernando Elísio Freire, 74 families, totalling 255 people, are currently in reception centres in São Vicente following the storm on 11 August.
Among them, 12 have lost all their possessions, while 62 cannot return to their homes, which are considered unsafe.
In addition to housing, the government has announced a series of support measures for the affected sectors.
An emergency social income of 30,000 escudos per month (around €272) will be granted for three months.
For informal operators, including market traders and small farmers, a non-repayable grant of 50,000 escudos (around €453) has been created.
Micro-entrepreneurs and small businesses will be entitled to financial support of between 150,000 and 500,000 escudos (€1,361 to €4,535). In comparison, medium-sized businesses will be able to receive between 500,000 and 1.2 million escudos (€4,535 to €10,882), depending on their proven losses.
The credit lines will have subsidised interest rates of up to 5.5% and repayment periods of up to 60 months, available to affected companies, fishermen and fishmongers.
People who have lost vehicles should register the incident with the police and hand over the documents to the Directorate-General for Road Transport (DGTR), which will carry out the technical assessment and validation for subsequent support.
In the health area, technicians are being trained to identify risks of outbreaks and diseases. At the same time, the population is advised to wear masks due to the dust caused by the strong winds, which can affect people with allergies or respiratory problems.
The sea remains under surveillance, with Cabo Verde's, North American and French divers identifying submerged objects in the bay, which should begin to be removed on Friday.
The authorities also warn that several houses located in river areas and on unstable slopes will have to be demolished because they don't meet safety standards, with the final decision resting with the City Council and the Ministry of Spatial Planning.
The 11 August storm in São Vicente caused nine deaths, two missing persons, flooded neighbourhoods and damage to roads, houses, bridges and commercial establishments, as well as power outages and vehicles and other goods being swept out to sea.
As a result, the government declared a state of calamity for six months in São Vicente, Porto Novo (Santo Antão) and the two municipalities of São Nicolau.
RS/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
