Since Saturday, November 2, the town of Panazol (Haute-Vienne) has been collecting donations to send them to Picanya, a twin town in Spain hit hard by deadly floods. The victims are waiting for cleaning products. Masks, laundry detergent, disinfectant: two trucks will leave for the Valencia region this Friday.
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“I went shopping especially for that, this morning, when I received the email from the town hall,” explains Annick Brunel, a resident of Panazol, while waiting for the town hall to open this Monday, November 4. His shopping bag contains “masks, detergent, disinfectant, that’s what they’re asking for.”
This resident went shopping specially for the collection, on November 4, 2024, in Haute-Vienne.
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© Jean-Marie Arnal, France Télévisions
She is far from being the only one, other residents have followed suit. This is the case of Jeanine Thomas. “There, I gave money, then there are the clothes. I have some, but I don't know if it will suit them. My little neighbors, where I live, have gone to Spain, no doubt to see their family since they are near Madrid.”
It's far away, but we imagine that it could be us and that we would be happy to have help.
Patrick Archambaultresident of Panazol
Residents have shown solidarity with the twin town for three years, offering, on average, a donation of 100 euros. “Yesterday, there wasn't supposed to be a collection of donations, but people wanted to give, so the mayor stuck to it. He already took the checks and others. Today, we decided to do the collection on the town hall, explains Danielle Todesco, municipal councilor, who came as reinforcement. People come spontaneously, very regularly and with kindness. We couldn't count today as we have so many people.”
This town hall agent came to lend a hand to collect donations, on November 4, 2024, in Haute-Vienne.
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© Jean-Marie Arnal, France Télévisions
The balance sheet for the day of Sunday November 3 amounts to 5,000 euros. The collection continued throughout the morning of Monday. Municipal agents are awaiting another directive for a possible next collection.
Also read: Floods in Spain: “We work with local businesses which have an incredible surge of generosity”: solidarity is organized near Limoges
In addition to financial assistance, there is a collection of products. No sending of food or perishable goods, but hundreds of kilos of cleaning products. This is a priority request from the Spanish city for the cleaning of sites ravaged by bad weather. “We have two small trucks which will leave on Friday. The roads there are inaccessible. Three bridges have fallen in the town of Picanya, heavy vehicles cannot access the town,” specifies Fabien Doucet, the mayor of Panazol.
So, we have two 3.5 ton trucks which came to Limoges to supply, particularly citrus fruits, and which will leave with everything we have harvested during the week.
Fabien DoucetMayor of Panazol
The mayor of Panazol hopes to be able to return to Picanya as soon as possible to provide his support, on November 4, 2024, in Haute-Vienne.
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© Jean-Marie Arnal, France Télévisions
Alongside the town hall and the twinning committee, the International Emergency Firefighters are also mobilizing. “We are going to collaborate with the town hall of Panazol which will launch a collection on Sunday in the town market so that we can transport vehicles, basic necessities and equipment for the town hall of Picanya”details Philippe Besson, president of the organization.
This Monday, November 4, in the evening, the Panazol municipal council voted unanimously to send emergency aid of 20,000 euros to Spain.
Story by Isabel Lerouge and Sarah Boana
