Tropical Storm Erin devastates Cape Verde: eight dead and thousands homeless!

Tropical Storm Erin devastates Cape Verde: eight dead and thousands homeless!

A devastating tropical storm has hit Cape Verde and the images are frightening: After storm “Erin” struck, a state of emergency has now been declared in the archipelago. Severe flooding has caused extensive damage and the situation is dire. Loud watson.ch So far, at least eight people have died due to storm surges. Over 1,500 residents are now homeless after the storm brought heavy rain to the islands of São Vicente, Santo Antão and São Nicolau on Monday, August 14th.

An incredible 193 millimeters of rain fell in just five hours. For comparison: In August you can usually expect just 15 millimeters of rain! This has led to entire neighborhoods being flooded, houses and streets destroyed, and even bridges collapsing. Prime Minister José Ulisses Correia e Silva has already set up a crisis cabinet to coordinate relief efforts, and the police and military are actively involved in searching for many missing people and helping those affected.

International aid and mourning

The willingness to help from outside is impressive: the World Bank immediately made ten million US dollars available for the reconstruction of the affected regions. Portugal also sent a naval ship to provide humanitarian aid. In light of the tragedy, the Cape Verdean government also declared two days of national mourning. Cape Verde, home to almost half a million people and a popular travel destination, now faces an enormous challenge.

In such difficult times, community cohesion is crucial. The local population is known for its resilience and willingness to stand together in crisis situations. This is also clear in the history of Cape Verde, where people often had to deal with natural disasters.

Health system under pressure

As is usual in crisis situations, the health system is also challenged. Hospitals, already under strain during normal operations, are now having to admit additional patients who have suffered injuries from the storm's impact. Wikipedia describes how important hospitals are as health centers, especially in times of crisis, as they offer not only inpatient (with overnight stay) but also outpatient (without overnight stay) treatment.

With the support of international organizations and the tireless efforts of health workers, the aim is to hopefully restore the situation as soon as possible. As the situation in Cape Verde is brought back into balance, the world's thoughts remain with those affected and hope for a speedy recovery and support for all those suffering from the consequences of Storm Erin.