Portugal sends Navy vessel to assist Cape Verdean population affected by the floods

The Portuguese Navy Offshore Patrol vessel NRP Sines is on its way to Cape Verde to provide humanitarian assistance to the population affected by the floods on São Vicente and Santo Antão islands. The operation is coordinated by the General Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces (EMGFA).

NRP Sines was in Cape Verde at the start of August under the Mar Aberto [Open Sea] initiative with the aim of undertaking maritime supervision missions given the insecurity felt in the Gulf of Guinea. 

Using the vessel’s operational and location capabilities it was assigned the mission to support Cape Verde and provide humanitarian assistance to the population affected by the recent storms, as of 15 August. 

The vessel is commanded by Captain Lieutenant Vítor Manuel Silva Santos and has 44 military personnel, plus 12 specialised personnel, including marines, divers, drone operators, a naval physician, and an international relations officer, 12 officers, 12 sergeants, and 32 petty soldiers.

The operations are being followed by the President and the Government, namely via the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.