In recent weeks, the activity of our Foundation has been particularly marked by the passage of the DANA in the southeast of Spain and, specifically, in Valencia. There are many ties that unite us to this beloved region and that, after the passage of this catastrophe, make us reinforce our commitment to its reconstruction and to supporting all the people who are still suffering its drastic consequences.<\/p>\n
Without going any further, part of our team responsible for Projects resides in Valencia, where we have an office from which we directly manage and monitor all the development cooperation, humanitarian aid and development education initiatives that we carry out in collaboration with the Generalitat Valenciana in many countries around the world (we have already completed around 30 joint projects since our founding in 1987).<\/p>\n
Fortunately, our colleagues from Valencia, Irene and M\u00aa Fernanda, have not suffered any personal injuries, but they have witnessed first-hand the horror caused by the DANA. Along with them, other members of our team and volunteers from the Foundation have not hesitated to go to the scene of the catastrophe to contribute their grain of sand, collaborate with the cleanup, and care for the victims.<\/p>\n
Solidarity without limits<\/strong><\/p>\n Many lives, families, homes, towns, businesses, projects, dreams\u2026 have been abruptly affected by the terrible and devastating passage of the DANA. We are all still moved by the shocking videos and photos that continue to appear every day in the media and on social networks. There are many images and moments that this episode has left us and that, without a doubt, we can now consider historic.<\/p>\n There are also many expressions of feelings that are the protagonists of these images: sorrow, indignation, helplessness… but also solidarity, a lot of solidarity. If devastation was the initial protagonist of the tragedy, solidarity immediately made its way to be the undisputed protagonist of this DANA and, thus, also invite hope.<\/p>\n Civil society at the centre<\/strong><\/p>\n Instead of the destructive currents of water, the permanent floods of volunteers began to arrive, until today, to the most remote scenes of the tragedy. People of all ages and from all provinces of the country continue to altruistically approach our beloved Valencia to offer their time and help to all the affected neighbors.<\/p>\n Therefore, civil society has offered a first response and, with it, a lesson in humanity to the public sector itself. Families, neighbours, friends\u2026 other citizens from other regions of the country and the NGOs deployed in the area began to organize themselves with an effectiveness and speed worthy of being remembered. They continue to show us that people and NGOs are at the centre of civil society, at the service of each other.<\/p>\n People affected by the DANA will need help in the short, medium and long term, so supporting the organisations that are operational is essential.<\/p>\n The cohesion of the third sector<\/strong><\/p>\n In total, more than 30 national and international organizations are working to meet the needs of the victims and support the reconstruction of the affected areas. Between them, we have mobilized thousands of volunteers and part of our staff to address this emergency, responding to the multiple needs that continue to evolve: providing material goods and food, psychological care, accompanying the victims in requesting urgent aid, etc.<\/p>\n The Valencian Coordinator of NGOs, of which we are a member, is carrying out management and harmonization work between all these entities, which is being of great value and use for the better channeling and articulation of all aid. In addition, this function helps to consolidate a reality that is evident in the response that NGOs are giving to the DANA: the cohesion of the third sector.<\/p>\n