Storms Spain
Spanish Red Cross volunteers are working day and night to support those affected by the massive floods in southeastern Spain. Valencia was hit especially hard, but the regions of Andalucía, Castilla la Mancha and Murcia also had to deal with large amounts of water. More than 200 people have already died and many are still missing.
Intervention teams are active in the field, providing first aid to victims. The Spanish Red Cross was thus already able to help more than 260,000 people. Furthermore, it already opened seventeen shelters where some 4,200 people found shelter and others are receiving psychosocial support. In addition, more than 144,000 meals, 4,300 blankets and 38,000 hygiene kits were also distributed, and there are 30 water distribution points.
More than 210 teams consisting of 7,399 volunteers and Spanish Red Cross staff are managing the relief operation. Now that the most acute phase is over, they are fully engaged in recovering and rebuilding the region.
How can you help?
Belgian Red Cross-Flanders makes a warm appeal to everyone who wants to support the victims of this natural disaster. Also help and make a donation to the account number BE53 0000 0000 5353 with the mention'Distressful weather Spain'.
Updates
Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 - 1 month after floods and heavy rains
1 month after the floods and heavy rains, local chapters of the Spanish Red Cross are still hard at work in the disaster area. They are still searching for missing persons and assisting with cleanup and clearance work. Supply chains for food and access to potable water are still disrupted in several, mainly remote, areas.
Local departments provide food distribution and medication delivery. Particular attention is paid to the most vulnerable, such as the elderly. Volunteer visits are a necessary form of social contact for them. Volunteers also assist them with movements or help them down stairs in buildings where the elevator does not yet function. Furthermore, they also offer a listening ear to affected people who lost everything or are still waiting for news about the missing.
In Paiporta, the Spanish Red Cross installed the first temporary water treatment plant to restore access to potable water. This plant purifies 225,000 liters per day, providing 15,000 people with safe, potable water.
Thanks to your support, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders has already been able to transfer 240,000 euros to the Spanish Red Cross. This support ensures that the Spanish Red Cross was able to respond quickly and can now work with local communities on recovery and reconstruction.
Friday, November 15, 2024 - Malaga affected
Meanwhile, the Malaga region has now also been hit by heavy rain. The Spanish Red Cross is on the ground providing emergency shelter and distributing relief supplies.
Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 - Spanish Red Cross already collected 73 million and begins recovery in affected region
- Phase 1: Immediate response (completed).
- Phase 2: Recovery
- Continue to meet basic needs
- Cleaning
- Psychosocial support
- Information points and guidance for those affected (e.g., benefits)
- Support for businesses and the self-employed
- Phase 3: Capacity building
- Strengthening knowledge and awareness of risks at the community level: mapping, dissemination of hazards and guidelines, and public education and awareness actions.
- Capacity building of the community to be prepared for emergencies and activate early warning mechanisms: family emergency plans, response training, exercises and provision of first aid kits.
- Strengthening institutional capacities in emergency relief and emergency intervention protocols
They are currently transitioning from Phase 1 to Phase 2. Help is still needed to support those affected and get back on track. E.g. guidance/information around applications for benefits, insurance, support applications, etc.
Tuesday, November 5, 2024 - Colleague Joris on Q-Music
Colleague Joris speaking on 'Maarten & Dorothee' on Q-Music.
"At the moment we mainly recommend financial aid, because at this stage (of the disaster) it is the most efficient way. Right now a lot of people, including the Spanish Red Cross, are active on the ground. They are begging meals, blankets, doing (risk) communication action, charging cell phones.... "
Monday, Nov. 4, 2024: Five days after Spain's devastating rainfall, needs remain high.
Hundreds of teams from across Spain were mobilized in recent days to assist the affected population, including first aid teams, ambulances, psychosocial support and specialized Emergency Awareness and Information Teams (ESIS) providing information and assistance to victims. The material damage in the regions is enormous: roads and houses have been destroyed, and streets are still full of mud and debris. The Red Cross is providing volunteers with mouth masks and gloves, helping to make the streets safe and passable. The floods also caused severe damage to drinking water infrastructure, leaving many without access to potable water. The Spanish Red Cross is therefore also distributing hygiene kits and bottles of drinking water.
Meanwhile, ten emergency shelters are housing more than 3,000 people, and more than 60,000 meals have already been distributed to the affected population.
The Spanish Red Cross has already been able to support more than 121,000 people.
Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024: Spanish Red Cross continues to work tirelessly
Teams and volunteers from the Spanish Red Cross continue to work tirelessly to help the many victims, including Sergio, a Red Cross volunteer from Algemesi. He went to visit several elderly people who had some difficulty walking and brought and them some water. A very emotional moment.
The Spanish Red Cross was already able to help more than 9,000 people.
