Attachments
Date of event
11-06-2025
What happened, where and when?
In the late hours of 10 June through the early morning of 11 June 2025, the city of Gabu, capital of the Gabu region in Guinea-Bissau, was struck by a severe windstorm accompanied by torrential rains. The storm swept through four densely populated neighborhoods, causing widespread destruction to both private homes and critical public infrastructure.
An estimated 3,017 people (431 households) were directly affected. Over 215 houses were completely unroofed, partially destroyed, or fully collapsed, leaving hundreds without adequate shelter. In addition to homes, schools, local shops, and administrative buildings were damaged or rendered non-functional. The storm also toppled electricity poles, plunging large sections of the city into darkness and disrupting basic services. A rapid assessment by trained Red Cross volunteers identified 1,505 individuals (215 households) as the most severely affected, including 891 women, 382 men, 217 children, and 4 elderly persons. Fifteen individuals sustained injuries, and many of the displaced are now sheltered by 54 host families, while others have taken temporary refuge with relatives or neighbors.
Scope and Scale
The recent windstorm in Gabu has significantly impacted a total of 3,017 individuals (431 households), including 988 women; 1,321 men; 491 girls; and 217 boys. More than 200 children under 5 were among the most affected.
A rapid assessment conducted by the Red Cross Society Guinea-Bissau (RCSGB), in coordination with local authorities, has identified 1,505 individuals (215 households) as the most severely affected. These households have experienced partial to total destruction of homes, contamination of food reserves, and loss of essential household items, placing them in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Beyond shelter damage, the storm has severely impacted livelihoods and public services, particularly in the education sector, and heightened the risk of food insecurity, health issues, and prolonged displacement for vulnerable populations
Furthermore, 54 host households (comprising 378 people) are currently sheltering displaced families, placing additional strain on already scarce resources. Immediate needs include shelter reconstruction materials, emergency food assistance, and essential non-food items such as cooking utensils, bedding, and hygiene supplies.
The affected population is primarily composed of subsistence farmers already living in poverty, with limited access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and basic infrastructure. The chronic economic and social vulnerability reduce the ability for these families to cope with the losses and subsequent consequences in their wellbeing and protection. Basic infrastructure and services destroyed increase the risk for health issues and outbreaks. There is a challenge on accessing basic needs and services which has increase following the disruption of facilities, contributing to increased health and hygiene risks.
There are no financial safety nets or insurance systems to support household recovery, making external assistance their only option for rebuilding. This is compounded by limited personal savings or assets, meaning families are unable to repair or replace homes and belongings without help.