As of: November 4th, 2024 6:18 a.m
Armed with shovels, they make their way to the destroyed areas: Volunteers in Spain are very willing to help in the face of the flood disaster. This not only creates enthusiasm among emergency services.
By Lisa Muckelberg, ARD Madrid
The coach that arrives in Valencia is dirty. Around fifty people get out, their clothes covered in mud and plastic bags wrapped around their shoes. In the luggage compartment of the bus, instead of suitcases, there are countless shovels and brooms, brown with mud.
The bus comes from one of the areas devastated by the flood. He brought volunteers there. Student Elias is also one of them. He still has mud splashes on his face. You just have to help, he says.
The solidarity is huge. Thousands of people are making their way to the affected places – first on foot, now also in buses. Because so many volunteers have to be coordinated first. They are divided into groups at a central collection point, equipped with shovels and sent off on buses.
“The euphoria will wear off”
Maria Paz Ramos is Vice President of the Volunteer Platform. She is proud of what they have already achieved. But she worries how long the willingness to help will last: “The euphoria now, in the hot phase, is great, but it will wane.”
Conflicts often arise between the official emergency services and the volunteers. The allegations are that they would block the paths. This doesn’t go down well with the helpers. They come to help, not to hinder or take photos, says Malena.
She has just returned from her mission and knows how important your help is. According to their accusation, it is the voluntary citizens who provide the necessary help, not the government.
The search for survivors
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez sent 10,000 police and soldiers to the disaster areas. They should clear the streets and search for missing people. The search for survivors is still ongoing, especially in underground car parks and tunnels, and police divers are also on duty. Another problem on site is looting: the police have already arrested more than 80 people because of it.
On Sunday, people’s anger at the authorities’ crisis management was unleashed during the Spanish royal’s visit to Paiporta. Regional television showed hundreds of angry people attacking Felipe VI. and threw mud at his wife Letizia and insulted him.
In the end, the monarchs approached the protesters against the advice of security personnel. They tried to calm people down with mud on their clothes and faces. People said they needed more help. According to a TV commentator, such scenes have never occurred before during a visit by a royal couple.
