Spain: solidarity in action after deadly floods in the south-east

Four days after the terrible floods that struck south-eastern Spain, plunging the region into mourning and leaving many people missing, thousands of volunteers and rescue workers are working to restore the towns overrun by mud. What remained of the tragic nights of October 29 and 30 has turned into a collective outpouring of solidarity and support. At least 211 lives were swept away by the devastating floods, leaving deep scars in local communities.

With brooms and shovels, residents and volunteers tirelessly clean up the streets. In every district of Paiporta, a small town to the south of Valencia that was severely affected, scenes of mobilization are omnipresent. Everywhere, mud has covered everything and no building has escaped the fury of the waters.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced that 10,000 soldiers and police officers would be sent to reinforce search and rescue efforts and to help those affected. This deployment brings to 18,000 the number of law enforcement personnel mobilized in the region, according to the daily El País.

In Valencia, many volunteers, moved by the scale of the tragedy, left the city on foot to help the worst-affected localities. However, the influx of volunteers led the authorities to request that they return home to avoid blocking roads already congested with rescue workers. The region’s president, Carlos Mazón, insisted on the importance of not hindering operations, and is even considering traffic restrictions for vehicles and pedestrians to facilitate access for emergency teams.