Flooding and devastation in Valencia

Who could fail to be moved by the devastating scenes for Valencia in the last few days? So many have lost their homes, businesses, possessions and for the very unlucky ones, family members, friends and loved ones. 

The death toll currently stands at 217 and many more may still not have been found. 

It’s believed to be Spain’s worst natural disaster in decades.  

There has been anger and frustration at the lack of action by the government and only yesterday, Spain’s King Filipe faced angry crowds as he visited Paiporta and the Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez had to cut his visit to the area short when he too was met with similar anger. 

Families who have lost everything now face the hard task of putting their lives back together and returning to their day-to-day lives. 

SCIAF’s sister agency, Caritas Valencia, part of Caritas Spain, has mobilsed its staff and volunteers and is working to establish who needs what in each Parish area as a result of the DANA. DANA is a Spanish acronym for high-altitude isolated depression. 

Caritas has called on volunteers to coordinate with local authorities and security forces in the clean-up tasks in the areas affected by the DANA. 

Days after the tragedy, some towns or areas still have limited access. Caritas Valencia has been maintaining daily contact with those in the four most seriously affected areas, although communications are still complicated due to power cuts and the fall of telephone lines. 

When access is possible the priority will be for water, blankets, food, and other supplies, as well as providing emotional support to those in need during this difficult time.

In the most accessible areas, Caritas Valencia is making the first trips to bring food and other items such as masks, gloves and cleaning products and is trying to organise the spaces of Caritas so that they can accommodate the most vulnerable people. 

Director of Caritas Valencia,  Aurora Aranda explains:

"We are in contact with people establishing priorities and identifying the needs that they consider most urgent."

Please join us in praying for the people of Valencia, and Spain as a whole, as they face the challenges of the next few weeks and months.