More or less a third of humanity are of the Christian faith. Whether actively practicing, spending time with their congregation or living according to the proclaimed values, that is well over two billion people worldwide.
And yet, all across the globe we are divided into have or have not, suffering or not and into givers or receivers. That is the case in Valencia too. Following the horrific disaster of severe flooding that the so-called dana caused, life changed abruptly in and around this magnificent city.
An enormous outpouring of love occurred both locally and from afar. Dedicated assistance from thousands of residents brought much needed support while the authorities remained frozen in denial. The incompetence of politicians and perhaps even criminal neglect was trumped by untold numbers individuals with shovels and bare hands who walked for miles to help thousands who were in drastic need for assistance.
That help is ongoing. However, to add to a sense of misery, the festive season has arrived accompanied by the usual magic, music and merriment. A certain unease can be felt amongst the sympathetic local expat community. And yet, the lights have been lit, albeit a couple of weeks later than usual. Celebrations have commenced and Christmas, New year as well as Three Kings are arriving rapidly.
The official “Visit Valencia” tourist board quotes the “Return to Normalcy in the City of València After the DANA Floods”. Of course, the city needs tourist revenues, even if expats seem somewhat divided on this topic. For a vast majority of residents the extent of normalcy meant merely the inconvenience of a lack of metro, trains or access to major roads. With these issues solved, the contrast of revelry and sorrow can fade from the limelight.
This year, of course, Christmas will remain vastly different especially for those whose lives were devastated. Many expats and locals feel traumatised. Festive cheer is accompanied by sadness, suffering and loss. Loss of property, belongings and, above all, loved ones. A sense of normality is nowhere to be seen for many residents.
Helping Hands
Official charities are campaigning for donations. As is well known, a variable percentage remains in their coffers due to organisational purposes. Expats may thus wish to donate more directly. Whether monies or tangible goods, all is welcome. So too any personal, hands on, action deemed individually possible.
Local businesses are suffering too. Heading out for a meal, tapas or drinks and purchasing from local retailers brings relief to proprietors and secures jobs. Consum, Mercadona, Carrefour or Corte Inglés and the like will all survive. Smaller stores may not.
Non- Governmental
Numerous established organisations as well as spontaneously instigated initiates have leapt into action to assist the needy. Along with thousands of individuals, these non-profits were the first to take the initiative.
AyudaDana
A non-profit, AyudaDana offers a solidarity network instigated by David Perálvarez and Marta Lumeras in just over three hours to address the utter chaos and confusion. The project facilitates a direct connection between people seeking and offering help following the DANA. Their aim of organising and centralising help is fulfilled magnificently through an expansive tool with a heartwarming list individuals with full and, at times, personal pleas and offers.
Terreta Espacios
Wishing to rebuild together with solidarity, Terreta Espacios offers tangible spaces with showers, rest and basic services for those affected and volunteers of the DANA in the Valencian Community. The platform is for those seeking and offering and list options to contact people directly.
AyudaTerreta
An interactive map, AyudaTerreta shows who needs help and of what kind as well as those offering support from general or specialist volunteers as well as collection or distribution points.
Simply click the pink button on the map and complete registration form with contact information, location and details of the request. Updating is important. No financial transactions are permitted nor any type of financial donations accepted, since its sole purpose is for volunteers and those requesting help to get in touch with each other.
Adopt a School
A project aimed at restoring education in areas affected by the DANA and the recent floods in Valencia. Serious impact has been wrought upon the local educational system, with more than 169,000 children affected, 100 educational centres destroyed and 24,000 students left without a school.
Faced with this situation, the initiative ‘Adopt a School’ was born, promoted by Startup Valencia, ATH21 and the teaching community Para Profes, with the support of the NGO Admundi and the Migranodearena Foundation. Every gesture counts to make education a reality again in the affected areas.
A collaborative platform designed to facilitate the connection between people, companies and educational manufacturers, Adopt a School is centralising aid and volunteering. The specific needs of each affected educational centre have been mapped, identifying priorities and coordinating resources to guarantee a quick and efficient response. The main objective is to help teachers, families and students to recover normality in the classrooms by providing educational material, financial support and volunteering.
If you want to contribute to this cause, you can do so by donating educational material, participating as a volunteer or making a financial contribution that will be channeled through Admundi and Migranodearena to ensure that all funds are used in a transparent and efficient manner in the reconstruction of the affected educational centres and in supporting the students and teachers who need it most.
AyuDana
For those people affected by the Dana of Valencia, AyuDana connects over 5,000 volunteer psychologists are offering free psychological help.
Professional psychologists who are willing to provide free help to those affected by the Valencia dana are brought into contact as soon as possible and for free with anyone who completes the online form.
Go Fund Me
A search for Valencia on Go Fund Me reveals hundreds of group and individual initiatives for expat residents wishing to donate funds directly to a relevant fundraising cause.
Startup Valencia
Numerous initiatives have been created amongst Valencia’s innovative and technological ecosystem to support those affected by DANA. A comprehensive overview is available on Startup Valencia
Official Sources
The love that has poured out from the local populace and global communities over recent weeks is in stark contrast to incompetence, negligence and disrespect from officials. Slow to react, they now have joined the movement.
City of Valencia
The city of Valencia has created the Register of Solidarity Collaborators for DANA Aid It is a platform for those who are willing to offer their services and support altruistically in the affected districts of Horno de Alcedo, Castellar-Oliveral and La Torre.
Its sole objective is to facilitate and streamline the connection between neighbours who need help and those who are willing to offer it. It is the place for persons, companies or entities that are willing to provide support, to channel resources, knowledge and skills to those who need it most.
The Valencia city council is not organising nor supervising the aid events, but rather limits itself to facilitating and promoting collaboration on a voluntary and independent basis. All the services available on the platform must be free and provided altruistically.
Generalitat Valenciana
The Generalitat Valenciana has launched their Virtual Citizen Assistance Office (OVAC-DANA), a platform designed to facilitate access to aid aimed at alleviating the effects of the DANA of 2024 for citizens and companies in a non-face-to-face manner. The Generalitat claims the innovative service responds to their commitment to digital transformation and to offer an accessible, flexible and secure service model.
Thoughts and love with all who are suffering loss at this difficult time 💖.
By Vincent Green, Dec 6, 2024
