Last week saw the Spanish city of Valencia and the surrounding region of Comunitat Valenciana hit by catastrophic flash floods. Unfortunately, this severe weather has resulted in more than 200 deaths and dozens of people missing as well as causing bridges to be destroyed, towns covered with mud and disruptions to public transport.
What has happened in the Valencia region?
The strange weather phenomenon has been referred to as a DANA or Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos, a Spanish phrase that translates to isolated depression at high levels. According to meteorologists, the event which saw the equivalent of a year’s worth of rainfall in just a few hours was the most severe DANA recorded in the 21st century.
DANA has triggered massive floods that have devastated entire towns and left thousands of people stranded, as well as leaving them without water, food or electricity.
How you can help those affected by the Valencia floods
A wave of solidarity has flooded social networks, associations and individuals, in addition to many local people offering their help. But here’s how you can help those affected by the Valencia floods here in the UK.
Donations
Go Fund Me
There are a number of fundraising pages on Go Fund Me where donations will go towards helping those affected by the Valencia floods.
Spain Flood Relief Fund Fundraising for GlobalGiving
All donations to this fund will help flood survivors throughout affected communities in Spain. These efforts will be led by GlobalGiving‘s network of vetted partners. Initially, the fund will help meet survivors’ immediate needs for food, fuel, clean water, hygiene products, and shelter.
Caritas Valencia
Local charity Caritas Valencia is also accepting donations where you can select how much you wish to donate and select the flood emergency as a cause. However for British residents, you may be subject to an international transfer fee.
Credit: World Central Kitchen
Generalitat Valenciana
The Valencian government has created a solidarity account to support those affected by the DANA that has hit the Valencian Community. The solidarity initiative will help assist those affected and contribute to repairing the damage. For every euro donated, Banco Sabadell has committed to contribute an additional euro, with a minimum contribution by the institution of 500,000 euros.
Those interested can make their donations to the account with IBAN: ES94 0081 0693 61 0002423445. Again, there may be an international transfer fee.
We Recycle Clothes
We Recycle Clothes is working closely with the Spanish Red Cross and is accepting donations of old clothes, shoes, etc which can be turned into much-needed monetary funding for people in Spain affected by this disaster. Simply bag up your old clothes and book a collection which can be made across the UK.
World Central Kitchen
World Central Kitchen Relief Team members have arrived in Valencia to help the local communities. They have set up a meal distribution site in Paiporta, Valencia, which suffered some of the worst damage as a result of the recent flooding. You can sign up to volunteer as well as send monetary donations.
Charity events
Running for Valencia
The Ginger Club is hosting running events across the globe to help raise funds for those affected by the floods in Valencia. There is currently a run starting from at London’s Hyde Park Corner on November 6 from 7pm where runners can donate 5 euros and run 5km in aid of the cause. For all people who cannot be in the cities or at training times, you can select ‘dorsal 0’ so you can do your 5km anywhere.
If you want to know more on how you can help those affected by the Valencia floods, including where to donate food and clothes or volunteer, head here.