Famine in Cape Verde

The archipelago of Cape Verde has been struck by a series of drought-related famines between the 1580s and the 1950s. During these periods of drought and famine, tens of thousands of inhabitants died from starvation and diseases.

In the 19th century, there were recorded famines from 1830 until 1833, 1854 until 1856, and 1863 until 1866. In the 20th century, there were two recorded famines. The first lasted from 1941 until 1943, and the second from 1947 until 1948. During the 1940s, several thousands of islanders emigrated, for instance accepting contract labour on the cocoa plantations of Portuguese São Tomé and Príncipe. The Estado Novo government of Portugal showed little interest in its African colony, and failed to take measures to improve access to fresh water, or to supply food aid.