Cape Verde Government Pledges Aid After Praia Market Fire
The Cape Verdean government has unveiled a comprehensive relief package for 52 traders whose livelihoods were devastated by a massive fire at the Ponta Belém street market in Praia. The Sunday blaze tore through the capital’s central clothing hub, destroying stalls and essential merchandise.
Immediate Financial Relief for Informal Traders
In a resolution published today in the Official Gazette, the government outlined a two-pronged approach to help informal vendors recover. Each affected trader will receive an Emergency Solidarity Income of 30,000 escudos (€272) per month for the next two months.
Additionally, the government is providing a non-repayable grant to compensate for lost inventory. Traders will receive 25,000 escudos (€226) for every “drum” of merchandise destroyed in the fire. This measure is particularly vital, as many vendors rely on shipments sent in drums by Cape Verdean emigrants to stock their stalls and sustain their families.
Support for Formal Businesses and Infrastructure
The aid package also extends to formal business operators located adjacent to the market who suffered property damage. These business owners will be granted access to subsidized credit lines and targeted tax relief to assist with repairs and inventory replacement.
Eurico Monteiro, Minister of Investment Promotion and Business Development, met with the traders at the Government Palace to finalize the details. He indicated that disbursements could begin as early as next week, noting that the two-month support window “seems reasonable for the acquisition of materials and items necessary to resume activity.”
Council Pledges Market Renovation
The national government’s measures complement a separate €109,000 commitment from the Praia City Council. These funds are earmarked for the physical renovation of the market infrastructure and additional direct aid for victims.
Investigations into the disaster have revealed a tragic cause. According to local authorities, the fire was reportedly ignited by three children who set a mattress on fire near the market. The flames spread rapidly through the densely packed clothing stalls and drums before damaging an adjacent building.
Image: Pexels – Carlo Jünemann
