The 20th of February, at the proposal of the International Federation of Families of Victims of Air Disasters (Air Crash Victims’ Families’ Federation International - ACVFFI), was designated by the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as the International Day commemorating air crash victims and their families, celebrated for the first time last year.

Recognizing the importance of ensuring the mental, physical and spiritual well-being of victims involved in civil aviation accidents and their families, ICAO has been developing awareness-raising actions with Contracting States with a view to implementing policies and recommended practices to support aircraft accident victims and their families.

Despite the good level of operational safety achieved by national civil aviation, Cabo Verde has, unfortunately, had some misfortunes in the past, namely the 1998 accident at the old Francisco Mendes Airport in the city of Praia, with one victim, and the accident on the island of Santo Antão in 1999, with 18 victims, including crew and passengers.

The State has the responsibility to ensure adequate support and assistance to survivors and families of victims of civil aviation accidents. This assistance must be provided in a structured and organized manner, being transversal to a number of entities, to which IPIAAM, such as the Aeronautical Accident Investigation Authority, is an integral part.

IPIAAM, in this regard, is responsible for providing, periodically and in good time, all relevant information on ongoing investigations, also coordinating the processes of temporary entry and travel to the country of the victims' families to visit the accident locations.

We take advantage of the date to mark and honor the memory of the victims of civil aviation accidents in Cabo Verde, paying due tribute to their families.