3 months after flood Spain: Belgian Red Cross-Flanders raised 364,000 euros

Three months after the severe floods in Spain, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders takes stock. The disaster claimed the lives of 231 people. Especially the region of Valencia was hit hard, but other areas also experienced major damage. The Spanish Red Cross raised 94 million euros to carry out rescue operations and work on reconstruction. Flanders also showed great commitment.

"Thanks in part to donations from Flanders and other regions, our Spanish colleagues were able to provide emergency shelter for 4,293 people and distribute more than 150,000 meals and 40,000 hygiene kits in the hardest-hit areas," said Didier Van Aert, Head of International Disaster Response at Belgian Red Cross-Flanders. "We carried out almost 9,000 emergency interventions with different teams and provided assistance to 300,000 people. Nevertheless, the situation remains worrying. Reconstruction is taking a long time, despite the gigantic efforts."

More than material assistance

On the night of Oct. 29-30, weather depression DANA caused exceptionally heavy rainfall in southeastern Spain. Heavy precipitation and storms caused dramatic flooding that took the lives of 231 Spaniards and caused immense material damage. Among others, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders immediately sprang into action by donating financial resources to the Spanish Red Cross who were active in the field and dispatched their disaster teams.

"In a disaster like this, there is not only a need for material assistance; people have also experienced trauma. In cases like this, the Red Cross sends social teams to help people psychologically," Van Aert said.

Rebuilding will take years

Despite the efforts of organizations such as the Red Cross and the Spanish government, the situation in the affected regions is still far from normal. The Spanish Red Cross estimates that reconstruction will take at least another three years.

"The Spanish Red Cross has worked out a comprehensive plan for reconstruction. However, the disaster was so drastic that this will be a work of years," Van Aert continued. "This situation confirms the importance of thorough crisis preparation. As the Red Cross, we therefore remain committed to a robust crisis response together with our partners, with a specific focus on climate-related emergencies."