Retrospectiva Brava: Island marked by maritime transport deficit and shortage of essential goods in 2025
Throughout the year 2025, one of the most challenging in recent years, the island of Brava was marked by a shortage of maritime transport and the resulting shortage of food and basic necessities.
The irregularity of sea connections with the other islands, especially Fogo and Santiago, directly affected the economy and the supply of the local market.
Essential products such as rice, flour, sugar, cooking oil and other basic foodstuffs have become scarce, forcing many families and traders to resort to limited alternatives or endure higher prices.
The commercial sector was one of the most affected, with several traders reporting difficulties in supplying their establishments, a situation that had a direct impact on the population's cost of living.
In addition to food, there were also delays in the transportation of medicines, building materials and other indispensable goods.
Faced with this scenario, the President of the Republic, José Maria Neves, and several ministers have visited the island of Brava, but so far the situation remains the same.
The social area, on the other hand, was marked by cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), aggression, cases of sexual violation of children, and some awareness-raising activities were carried out by the various entities and forces of society, in order to combat and minimize these situations, but also on parental responsibility.
This is in addition to several drug seizures and convictions of young people for committing this type of crime.
Once again, the Fajã d'Água road collapsed, leaving the area completely isolated. A footpath was built, but the car connection only resumed the day after the collapse.
In August, the government started work on the construction of the new Esparadinha/Palhal road, which will close the Brava island ring road and solve the problem once and for all.
The government's investment, budgeted at more than 258,000 escudos, is approximately 4.5 kilometers long and will provide an alternative solution to the current connection problems between the towns.
In the areas of health and cooperation, during the year the island of Brava received a medical mission from the "Project Health for Cape Verde" (PHCV), a breast, uterus and prostate cancer screening campaign promoted in partnership with the Cape Verdean Association for the Fight Against Cancer, blood donation campaigns, health fairs in various localities, among other actions.
In the cultural area, the island stood out for its June festivals, various activities linked to the Seven Suns Seven Moons Festival, which this year fell short of expectations due to maritime transportation problems, and the musical show at the 13th edition of Morna Fest.
The island also stood out in terms of the environment, with projects carried out by the Biflores Association to raise awareness of environmental preservation and endemic plants, among other species, animal deworming and castration campaigns carried out by the Bons Amigos Association, and the involvement of schools in environmental awareness campaigns.
However, the agricultural year was completely lost due to lack of rainfall, although the last rains in December guaranteed pasture.
In the sports sector, there were various interventions and competitions in various disciplines and the return of the regional soccer championship, among others.
Inforpress
