Natural and Environmental Disasters

The National Civil Protection and Fire Service was established with the power to coordinate national activities in the event of natural disasters, but that service
lacks the technical, material and human resources to effectively and efficiently carry out its functions when a serious natural or environmental disaster occurs.

Due to its geographical location, its geological formation, size and island nature, Sao Tomé e Principé is considered fragile and vulnerable to possible natural and environmental disasters. Within the last few years, the only major natural disaster was a landslide in the area of Rebordelo, in the north of the island of St. Thomas, which buried an entire community. The incapacity of the government to deal with this disaster institutionally or structurally was recognised, and an increase in response capacities has been identified as vital. The drafting of an Emergency Plan has been proposed to deal with such disasters in the future. Sea-level rise is already a problem in the country, and coastal communities are already experiencing the destruction of houses by flood due to intense rainfall and sea turbulence, along with the destruction of fishing equipment and coastal infrastructure. Drought has also become more common on Sao Tomé e Principé; in recent years the three-month dry season (June-August), called the period of “gravana”, has been lasting up to six months.