NEW VIDEO REPORT OF THE WORK OF ADRA SPAIN VOLUNTEERS 

By Olga Calonge, Director ADRA Spain

A month and a half after the DANA storm struck Valencia, the work of ADRA Spain and its volunteers remains crucial in aiding recovery and restoring normalcy for the affected municipalities and the thousands of people who lost everything—or almost everything—on October 29.

“It might seem like enough time has passed for things to improve, but that’s not the case,” explains Olga Calonge, Director of ADRA Spain. “We still need the collaboration of volunteers to assist the hundreds of affected families in these areas. Additionally, we need financial contributions to purchase supplies and respond to the emergency and the needs of each family,” she adds. “This is essential for truly normalizing the lives of these people.”

€230,000 in Donations

In the initial weeks following the disaster, ADRA Spain has received more than €230,000 in donations from across Spain and from the ADRA International network. With this support, ADRA has established two logistical distribution points for food and essential supplies in Paiporta, the epicenter of the disaster, and Catarroja. Additionally, a logistics warehouse has been set up in en Albalat dels Sorells to channel donations and emergency materials.

“At ADRA, we are tirelessly organizing to distribute the incoming materials to all the affected areas,” says Martin Bucher, head of the logistics warehouse. “The local councils have redirected much of the supplies they had stored in sports centers or industrial warehouses to our facility. We’re also receiving trailers and full containers of aid, including food, cleaning products, tools, and more. At the warehouse, we sort all the materials to distribute them as effectively as possible to the affected families.”

ADRA Spain expresses special gratitude to the hundreds of volunteers who have collaborated and continue to dedicate their time to Valencia’s recovery. Volunteers from Valencia, Castellón, Alicante, and even Madrid, Barcelona, and Zaragoza have contributed by cleaning streets, rehabilitating homes damaged by the floods, distributing supplies, and supporting those affected.

Sara Pérez, head of the logistics distribution point in Catarroja, shares, “We aim to reach as many people as possible daily. Approximately 300 people visit our distribution point to receive hot meals, hygiene products, and other essentials,” she explains. “Once we’ve assisted those waiting in line, the volunteers head to some of the most vulnerable neighborhoods to deliver food to individuals who may be unable to reach us due to their circumstances.”

Beyond Material Needs

For Sara, addressing emotional and psychological needs is as important as providing material assistance. “When you realize you’re alive—which is significant—but your house is no longer your home, and you’ve lost valuables and meaningful possessions, it takes a psychological toll. While some families manage to stay with neighbors or relatives, they’ve still lost their homes.”

Pilar Sosa, one of the hundreds of volunteers assisting those affected by the DANA, says, “I know my work is just a small part of everything that’s needed.” When asked about the qualities of a good volunteer, she lists: “Humanity, drive, energy, and above all, willingness. A willingness to contribute more, to support others, and to adapt. Often, people come into volunteering with one idea of what it entails, only to encounter something entirely different.”

How to Support This Emergency

ADRA Spain will continue its work in Valencia and the municipalities most affected by the torrential rains, relying on the support of members, volunteers, and donors both within Spain and internationally. Their contributions are critical to overcoming this emergency.

Anyone wishing to make financial donations should include the reference “DANA Valencia” in their transfers. ADRA Spain’s account with Banco Santander is: **ES36-0049-0469-1428-1070-2011**.