while providing help, volunteers also face health risks

Thousands of Spaniards took the initiative to help in the disaster areas. A generosity which is not without consequences. They expose themselves to the risk of accidents or illness.

After the catastrophic floods in Spain, the authorities are concerned about the health risks. Mudslides that killed at least 213 people could cause illness. In Chiva, one of the most affected localities, the risk is palpable for residents and those who came to help them.

Saturday November 2, around noon, the town came very close to a new tragedy, 16 volunteers were rescued in a garage near a machine to remove water and two of them are in serious condition. “All because of the lack of ventilation in the garage. They suffocated with the machinesays the deputy mayor. Of course they are full of good will to help, but sometimes this help they want to provide has consequences because they are not professionals.”

That’s the problem, judge Gador, a resident, broom in hand. According to her, there is a shortage of professionals: “There is a big lack of information. In the end, the people fended for themselves.” Gador returns from the devastated industrial zone and descends into the almost cleaned city center. A thin layer of mud still covers the cobblestones. She comes across these thousands of volunteers with their shovels and rakes.

“The most important work is we who did it.”

Gador, a volunteer

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Authorities ask volunteers to wear masks, gloves and wash their hands regularly. “We try, but it's complicated to do it all the time. You're doing a thousand things at once, helping one side then the other, so you can'ttestifies Alberto, looking agitated and a little tired. We are suffering from the second round of rain now, and possible water poisoning if we don't wash our hands, touch anything and put it in our mouth.”

Trapped in his car, Alberto came close to death on Tuesday. From now on, his anxiety concerns the lack of drinking water. Bottle distributions continue at the town hall, “but for how long?”he asks himself.