ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ

On Monday night, 11 August, tropical storm Erin, now moving westward over the central Atlantic, struck the Cape Verdean island of São Vicente and its capital, Mindelo, particularly hard. Within just a few hours, torrential rainfall triggered flash floods, causing widespread devastation. Several people lost their lives, many were left homeless and others are still missing. The Government of Cabo Verde has declared a state of calamity for an initial period of six months.

One of ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ’s long-standing partner institutes – the Instituto do Mar (IMar) – as well as the jointly operated Ocean Science Centre Mindelo (OSCM) were also severely affected. A mudslide at least one metre high swept across the site, causing damage to buildings and infrastructure. 

‘We stand firmly by our friends in Mindelo,’ says Professor Dr Katja Matthes, Director of the ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. ‘Our thoughts and sympathy are with the entire IMar team and their families during these difficult hours and days.’

ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ will do everything in its power to support its partner institutes in the reconstruction process and is in close contact with them to coordinate the next steps.