In 2021, Cabo Verde faced mounting pressure from the COVID‑19 pandemic, compounded by a heavy economic impact on its tourism‑dependent economy. As vaccination became the primary strategy to control the crisis, the country urgently needed additional vaccine doses to expand coverage. On 20 July 2021, Cabo Verde formally appealed through the EU Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) for support, identifying a requirement for 360,000 AstraZeneca doses to vaccinate approximately 180,000 adults.

In response, the Government of Luxembourg pledged 56,000 AstraZeneca vaccine doses, as part of its broader global donation commitment, along with syringes necessary for administration. The contribution was prepared rapidly under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (EUCPM), demonstrating coordinated European solidarity in addressing global vaccine inequity.

The shipment was organised through a military airbridge, with a French A400M aircraft transporting 21 temperature‑controlled pallets and boxes from Europe to Praia, Cabo Verde, on 13 September 2021. The operation was coordinated through the European Air Transport Command (EATC) and supported on the Luxembourg side by the emergency.lu team, ensuring proper handling and transfer to national authorities and the Luxembourg embassy.