On the left is an aerial view of Mindelo, where everything in the city is covered in mud. On the right is a car in your factory hall. The mud trail shows that the water must have been knee-high.

Tropical storm Erin caused severe damage to the Cape Verde Islands. The Instituto do Mar (IMar) and the jointly operated Ocean Science Centre Mindelo (OSCM) (right) were also badly affected.

Photos: @capeverdelife, Instagram/IMar

An aerial view of a small research centre right by the sea

The Ocean Science Centre Mindelo (OSCM) on the Cape Verdean island of São Vicente – a joint facility of GEOMAR and the Instituto do Mar (IMar) for advancing ocean research and scientific cooperation.

Photo: Edson Silva Delgado, OSCM

Impacts of the Flood Catastrophe on the Island of São Vicente

Map: United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT)

Donations in kind will be accepted at GEOMAR until 11 September 2025 in the Central Sample Storage (Zentrales Probenlager, ZPL).

Map: GEOMAR

Solidarity with Cabo Verde after tropical storm Erin

GEOMAR stands by its partners after severe damage on the island of São Vicente

On Monday night, 11 August, tropical storm Erin, now moving westward over the central Atlantic, struck the Cape Verdean island of São Vicente and the city of 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 drinking water supply also remains interrupted. The Government of Cabo Verde has declared a state of calamity for an initial period of six months.

One of GEOMAR’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 GEOMAR 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.’

GEOMAR 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.

Help Initiatives

Monetary Donations:

The association FREUNDE HELFEN FREUNDEN e. V., based in Syrgenstein/Bavaria, has been active in Cabo Verde since 2004 and will be accepting donations until September 15, 2025.

Funds will then be transferred to Reiseträume Kapverden GmbH, which is based locally, well connected, and will distribute the aid to organizations on site. These include, for example, the Organização das Mulheres de Cabo Verde/Women’s Association of Cabo Verde and the Cape Verdean Red Cross.

FREUNDE HELFEN FREUNDEN e. V.
Ringstraße 45a
89428 Syrgenstein

Donation Account:
Kreissparkasse Heidenheim
IBAN: DE82 6325 0030 0046 0112 11
BIC: SOLADES1HDH
Reference: “Unwetter 11.08. São Vicente”
Association Register: VR 687
Register Court: Amtsgericht Dillingen a. d. Donau

http://freunde-helfen-freunden.com/

For donations of EUR 400 or more, please provide your full address details to the association so that an official donation receipt can be issued.

Donations in Kind:

Collection Point Kiel

At GEOMAR, we are collecting donations in kind on the following dates:

Wednesday, 3 September | 5–7 pm
Thursday, 4 September | 5–7 pm
Wednesday, 10 September | 5–7 pm
Thursday, 11 September | 5–7 pm

GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
Wischhofstraße 1–3
24148 Kiel
Building ZPL (Central Sample Storage, see location on map)

We currently advise against donating clothing, as incoming relief supplies are expected to provide sufficient coverage. Please ensure that donated goods are of good quality, clean, durable, functional, and intact. Donations should only be delivered at the specified times – please do not leave anything at the door. Items should be pre-sorted, packed in boxes, and labeled in English.

Currently Needed Goods:

✓ Non-perishable food (canned goods, rice, pasta, beans, and other long-lasting products)
✓ Towels, mattresses, bed linen, and blankets (in good condition)
✓ Underwear and socks for all age groups (new items only)
✓ Sturdy footwear, rubber boots
✓ Diapers and clothing for babies and children, baby formula
✓ School supplies (notebooks, pencils, pens, erasers, sharpeners, colored pencils, pencil cases, backpacks)
✓ Cleaning and hygiene products (detergent, strong trash bags, gloves, soap, deodorant, toothpaste & brushes, shampoo, sanitary pads)
✓ First aid kits
✓ Medication (ibuprofen, vitamins, oral rehydration solutions, electrolyte solutions, anti-inflammatory drugs, medication for diabetics and patients with high blood pressure)

Contact for questions:
Jessica Delact Reyes Mendes, +49 (0)176 2040 7578, jdelact@outlook.de
Cordula Zenk, +49 (0)431 600-4209, czenk@geomar.de

Collection Point Hamburg

The association DER HAFEN HILFT! e. V. in Hamburg will also be accepting donations in kind until Friday, September 5, 2025.

DER HAFEN HILFT! e. V.
Schnackenburger Allee 11
Gate 8, Postbox 1441
22525 Hamburg
der-hafen-hilft.de

The storage facility is not open continuously. The above guidelines regarding needed goods also apply to donations in Hamburg. To arrange drop-off, please contact Diego Fonseca:

Tel: +49 (0)176 728 76931
Email: diego.fonseca@outlook.de

DER HAFEN HILFT! e. V. also needs donations for the container shipments:

Donation accounts: http://der-hafen-hilft.de/geld-spenden/
Reference: “Flood Relief Cabo Verde”