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Volunteers take a break from cleaning efforts. Pau Puchades
Unyielding Aid: Alicante Volunteers Continue to Support Flood-Affected Municipalities

Unyielding Aid: Alicante Volunteers Continue to Support Flood-Affected Municipalities

Two months after the floods, specialised personnel and financial donations are still needed

Tere Compañy Martínez

Alicante

Domingo, 29 de diciembre 2024, 07:10

"Hello, can any builder visit the home of a very elderly couple in Sedaví? I am not related to them; I know them because I delivered a small kitchen to them, and their house is in a terrible state." This is the first message seen on social media in one of the volunteer groups that continue to travel from Alicante to Valencia to assist with cleaning efforts for those affected by the floods. A river of solidarity that remains unbroken, even 60 days after that fateful 29th of October, when the waters rose like a tsunami, claiming over 220 lives, and still working tirelessly to restore normalcy as soon as possible.

Just hours later, another person intervenes: "From Adopt a Senior, we need a carpenter for one of our cases, is anyone available?" Soon, another voice offers help: "I'll send you the link to the group of professionals; surely someone can assist you." This continues to be the daily routine of a network of volunteer groups maintaining their trips to the ground zero of the floods to lend a hand wherever needed.

Pau Puchades is one of the masterminds behind these collectives. This viola teacher at the conservatory was born in Valencia but considers himself an adopted Alicante resident. After the floods, he transformed the system he had created to coordinate his leisure community (@adisfrutarypunto) into the perfect mechanism to direct those who wanted to help but didn't know how or where. It was a task he didn't undertake alone, with essential support from his core team of five: Adriana von Cappein, Célia Pérez, Noelia Vilaplana, Mamen Martínez, and Maria Carmona.

Some Alicante volunteers in Valencia. Pau Puchades
Imagen principal - Some Alicante volunteers in Valencia.
Imagen secundaria 1 - Some Alicante volunteers in Valencia.
Imagen secundaria 2 - Some Alicante volunteers in Valencia.

The system was straightforward. Initially, help was channelled through several WhatsApp groups. "At first, we had to do a lot of work to calm people down; everyone wanted to help, but it wasn't the right time, access was restricted, and then we had to organise to avoid road congestion," explains Pau.

Once possible, this group was clear: collaboration was necessary, but it had to be organised. So they set to work, and through contacts and many phone calls, they managed to reach the affected municipalities to know exactly where help was needed. Once a point was identified, they organised a bus and encouraged people to join.

From the outset, it was necessary to adapt to each circumstance. Private convoys also arrived, people wanting to help and offering their cars for other volunteers to join, reducing the number of vehicles parked on the outskirts of towns. Additionally, these individuals were directed to places where they could be genuinely useful. These groups were organised by zones, with up to ten active in Alicante. In them, people shared their travel plans, and others—strangers but with the same eagerness to help—joined until the vehicle was full.

Pau explains that initially, it was challenging because all the municipalities were overwhelmed, but after the initial phase and due to the number of volunteers mobilised during the first days, they managed to contact councillors and support where needed, even having passes and being escorted by police at access controls.

Soon after, it was time for the professionals. Pau and his team organised groups divided by trades: healthcare workers, plumbers, electricians, or builders. "Now, more meticulous work is needed; experts are required to make homes livable again, and donations of furniture or appliances are also needed," explains Pau, two months after the flood.

And while the needs have changed, help is still needed to make homes habitable again, a task requiring specialised personnel. The number of volunteers has also decreased. During the first weeks, expeditions were mobilised daily; now, it's more challenging, with one departing weekly.

In these two months, more than 80 groups have departed from Alicante province to the flood's ground zero, just from this organisation. A solidarity effort in which Alicante residents have rallied around Valencia and which remains unbroken. Pau explains that in February, they are organising a charity event to continue aiding in the tragedy and donate the money to local organisations. A whole network of solidarity to help those affected rebuild their lives.

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todoalicante Unyielding Aid: Alicante Volunteers Continue to Support Flood-Affected Municipalities