佛得角飓风艾琳公共卫生形势分析

Cabo Verde:Impact ofHurricane Erin Public Health Situation Analysis (PHSA) SUMMARY OF CRISIS AND KEY FINDINGS Hurricane Erin, born as a tropical wave off West Africa on 9 August, became the first Atlantic hurricane ofthe year aweek later as it tracked west, undergoing very rapid intensification into a Category 5–“one ofthe fastest on record.”3On 10–11 August 2025,HurricaneErin brought torrential rains that triggered flashfloods and landslides across Cabo Verde, with São Vicente and Santo Antão the worst affected and partialimpacts in São Nicolau.4 In just a few hours, rainfall exceeded annual averages, overwhelming drainage systems and destroyinginfrastructure. At leastninepeople lost their lives,tworemain missing,5and more than 27 500 people weredirectly affected (nearly 23% of the population), including 1500 displaced in São Vicente.6At least 20 000people have been injured.7 Over 2500 buildings were damaged, five bridges collapsed, and more than 60 km ofroads were cut off,isolating entire communities.8 Mindelo’s central hospitalandseveral healthcentreswere inundated.TheBela Vista HealthCentre, which directlyservesapopulationof5099wascompletelydestroyed,resultingin the total loss of vaccine stocks.9Water and sanitation networks collapsed, forcing reliance on emergencywater trucking from Santo Antão.10 The scale of destruction has prompted the government to declare a state of emergency and two days ofnational mourning.11Thousands of homes have been destroyed or severely damaged, leaving many toseek refuge with relatives, neighbours, or in temporary shelters. Livelihoods have also been decimated,plunging already vulnerable households into deeper crisis.12 Anemergency assessment highlights major health risks: diseases linked to contaminated water, vector-borne diseases due to stagnant water, and mental health issues related to the losses suffered.13 A majorand growing concern is the collapse ofthe central water supply system, leaving thousands without accessto safe drinking water. In a nation already struggling with prolonged drought and food insecurity, thedisruption poses a severe threat of waterborne disease outbreaks.14 More broadly, since 2017, Cape Verde is facing one of the worst droughts’ crises ever since the 1990s.Rains are scarce, andagriculturalproduction is recording a decline never seen before.15Agriculturalproduction no longer covers 1% of the country’s food needs, whilea significant portionof the Cape Verdeanpopulation lives from agriculture. This situation hasresulted in24.2% of the population living in poverty and9.2% in extreme poverty.16 HUMANITARIAN PROFILE DISPLACEMENT HEALTH NEEDS CASUALTIES 40 000 people are inneed after thehurricane,19withmorethan 27 500 peopledirectly affected (23% ofthe population).20 The floods caused thedisplacement of1500peopleon the island ofSão Vicente.21 More informationneeded. Injuries:20 000people23 Humanitarian Response to Date The Government declared a state of emergency and requested international support, while the Red Crossof Cape Verde (CVCV) was immediately mobilized to provide life-saving assistance.24ACrisis Cabinet wasestablished in São Vicente, bringing together representatives from the sectors of Infrastructure, SocialInclusion and Protection, and Health, with the aim of coordinating the intersectoral response. A UN Emergency Task Force was activated to support rapid assessmentsincluding with OCHA satelliteimagesresponse planning, and mobilizationof resources and technical assistance. Initial assessmentssuggest approximately 95000 peoplehave been affectedacross the three islands–São Vicente, SantoAntão and São Nicolau, with urgent needs in WASH, health, food assistance, shelter, and psychosocialsupport. Affected islands remain vulnerable, with more heavy rains forecast between 21 and 23 August.25 Authorities and humanitarian partners are working to restore essential services, assess damage toinfrastructure and livelihoods, and coordinate a response amid logistical challenges, including disruptedwater supplies and damaged bridges.26 Flood Risks In 2019,the World Bankreported that flash flooding posed a threat with over 150 000 people exposed toflash flood hazard.27InJuly 2025, according to the Cabo Verde public health risk assessment conductedwith STAR,flooding was classified as one of the high-risk hazards.The four most vulnerable islands toflash floods are São Vicente, São Nicolau, Santiago and Fogo. The central parts of these islands haveelevations reaching around 1000 meters above Mean Sea Level. Because of the small size of thesecatchments, the low-lying areas of the islands are mainly susceptible to flash floods, i.e. very quick onsetfloods during local rainfall events. The greatest flood potential occurs during the months with the highestrainfall: August to October.28 A much smaller number of people are at risk from earthquakes, landslides and volcanoes. Droughts cancause substantial losses to agricultural production,