Our company Volies has presence and team in several Spanish cities and other countries, but our heartđand main headquarters is Valencian. As you know, the province of Valencia, specifically several of the peripheral towns very close to the city of Valencia, we are suffering the devastating effects of the DANA.
First of all, the whole team of Volies de Valencia and our families are physically well. But our neighbors are in a very complicated situation.
Many people, companies and organizations are asking us how to help. We all have a heavy heart and want to be able to do something. But the HELP, to be really effective, must be coordinated, contrasted and adequate to the needs. And right now this is proving difficult to manage.
It is going to take a lot of help of all kinds for a long time to overcome, in a way, this tremendous catastrophe.
So we are going to need all of you for a long time.
We will be sharing in this post ways to help as we learn about them.
We recommend that you first try to contact the organizations or persons who have offered to be responsible to verify that the need is still the same, that it is possible to take it, etc.
INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEERING: Although Volies is not directly dedicated to individual volunteering, we are in contact with several organizations that are still in need of individual volunteers. The needs are constantly changing, so it is important to contact them before and check if they still need volunteers.
- Zubilabs in collaboration with GVA organizes volunteer shifts for humanitarian aid classification in the warehouse provided by Matteco, PI L’ Andana, c/ Noves Tecnologies, 6, 46980 Paterna, Valencia [Sign up here].
FUNDACIĂN ALTIUS: Parroquia MĂĄrtires Valencianos, Carrer de Luis GarcĂa-Berlanga MartĂ 25, Camins al Grau. 46023 Valencia. Volunteers are needed in the warehouse, making orders and sorting. As well as with a vehicle to go to the affected areas and deliver orders. [SIGN UP HERE]Â
Before approaching the area, we recommend you:
That you inform yourself previously of the situation and needs, which are changing as the days go by.
That if possible you coordinate with people in the area, friends, neighbors, local council.
That depending on the task you go properly protected with safety PPE.
VOLUNTEERING COMPANIES:Right now the most advisable thing to do would be to start collecting people who can collaborate and their availability, knowledge, etc. for the next days, weeks and months. Get to know these people, their qualities, what they can contribute, and start thinking about medium and long term reconstruction projects.
- From Volies we are working on having a catalog of short, medium and long term actions ready.
- We are also working with small groups in cleaning work in centers such as schools, institutes, NGOs.
- If you are already one of our collaborators, write to your trusted coordinator. If you are not yet, you can write to us at info@volies.es.
DONATION OF GOODS: At present, there are sufficient resources of food, drinks, clothes, blankets, hygiene and cleaning products, etc. at the supply points. Other items such as bedsteads, mattresses, household appliances, stoves, radiators, etc. are also being collected. It is advisable to coordinate with local NGOs in your area and meet the specific demands to collect what is needed at all times, which will vary.
Specifically there are two donations of very useful products at this time in which you can contribute:
- DONATE YOUR BIKE. Bikes against mud, in collaboration with the Alberto Contador Foundation, are managing the donation of hundreds of bikes from all over Spain, even from outside of it. You only have to bring your bike to Seur and they take care of everything. [DONATE YOUR BIKE HERE]
- DONATE YOUR CAR. Many old cars will not be allowed to circulate from January 1st due to the law of low emissions in big cities. Tens of thousands of working cars are being decommissioned and taken to the scrapyard. Here they still have a second life to fulfill. There are two initiatives through which you can manage it [COCHESA100] [SOLIDARITY ON WHEELS].
If you are a company/organization or can manage a large volume of this type of in-kind donations, write to us at cmarti@volies.es.
PURCHASE FROM TRADERS, ARTISTS AND AFFECTED COMPANIES:
- SUPPORT DIRECTLY WITH YOUR PURCHASE TO AFFECTED BUSINESSES. The B Corp Valenciana Bolsalea has compiled in this link a multitude of local businesses affected by the DANA and the possible ways to collaborate. [ALL INFO. HERE].
- ENSEDARTE. Handmade silk scarf [BUY HERE].
- CLUB DE LUCHA MASSANASSA: Stanly lost with the DANA the dream and the fruit of the work of a lifetime, and also a backbone of the Massanssa neighborhood. A school of martial arts that was 10 years old, in which they teach the values of martial arts. And that has been reconverted these days in logistic center of help to the neighborhood. [HELP HERE]
- ADOPTA UN COMERCIO: is an online solidarity initiative that uses the diffusion and reach that many well-known faces of our country have, with the aim of raising visibility and help for the affected local commerce. How? Sharing through their platforms and social networks the request for help and taking responsibility for the business. The aid is direct and without intermediaries, so that all proceeds will go to the business. In addition, on the website, you can sign up as an âinfluencerâ or âas an affected businessâ, and visualize the different establishments that have been adopted and are still to be adopted. [HELP HERE].
- GREMIO DE LLIBREROS: The Booksellers Guild has launched the campaign âBring back the life to the bookstoresâ, whose funds will go exclusively to the reconstruction of our beloved bookstores in the affected area. [HELP HERE]
- CHRISTMAS BASKETS: The company Sierra de Padelma, from Massanassa, lost all its facilities and products two months before Christmas. But the magic of solidarity has allowed them to recover and reopen in record time. Order your Christmas baskets here and contribute to the reconstruction.
ECONOMIC DONATIONS: The reconstruction is going to be long, and a lot of funds are going to be needed. We leave you some reliable, global NGOs that support in Valencia, and also some more local but with a long history and exemplary, with which you can collaborate.
In these times of emergency, Red Cross reminds us why in emergencies like this it is better to donate money than donate in kind. Surely among all these organizations you can find someone to centralize your help. No matter how small, it adds up. Especially in local organizations less known but equally efficient in the environment.
- ACCIĂN CONTRA EL HAMBRE It is working in the area, assessing the needs and offering humanitarian aid to cover the basic needs of the affected people. It is also distributing drinking water, gluten-free food, personal hygiene kits, children’s products and sanitary items such as masks, hydroalcoholic gels and soap. They have also installed two drainage plants and distributed industrial sacks to remove sludge. [HELP HERE]
- BANCO DE ALIMENTOS VALENCIA Food Banks are collecting funds to purchase and distribute supplies to all affected people. Right now they have plenty of product. They need funds for fuel for transportation and other necessities. [HELP HERE]
- BOMBERS PEL MON. Valencian NGO whose main mission is to help those who help through training and collaboration in rescue tasks. [HELP HERE]
- CĂRITAS VALENCIA They have activated their emergency fund and are coordinating their aid in the affected areas of Valencia and Albacete.[HELP HERE]
- CERAI. With more than 30 years of experience, the Center for Rural Studies and International Agriculture. CERAI aims to keep the rural world alive and promote sustainable and transformative food. They have focused their efforts on supporting the agricultural sector of affected populations. [HELP HERE]
- CRUZ ROJA. This channel has been set up to collect financial aid [HELP HERE]
- EDUCOÂ They are working with local entities to offer psychosocial support to children who have experienced this difficult situation. [HELP HERE]
- ENTRECULTURAS. They are part of the Society of Jesus in Valencia and offer storage and storage space, distribution of basic necessities, accompaniment and dynamization of emergency residential spaces. [HELPE HERE]
- FARMAMUNDI. Valencian NGO with a fundamental role at a time like this to contribute to the fulfillment of the universal right to health.[HELP HERE]
- FEVADIS. Valencian Federation of People with Intellectual Disabilities based in Aldaia, one of the affected municipalities, which aims to improve the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities / functional diversity and their families, especially children and young people. Â [+ info]Â [Instagram]Â Donations [HELP HERE]
- FUNDACIĂ HORTA SUD: With more than 50 years of experience, this organization works specifically in l’Horta Sur, one of the regions most affected by the DANA, with the aim of channeling resources and aid to improve the region and the lives of the people who live there, dignifying the community and the territory.[HELP HERE]
- IAE RESCUE: Interventionn, Help an Empergencies, is an association founded in 1999 whose members are volunteers who train dogs and guides to locate survivors buried in a catastrophe or perform therapy with people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. On its 25th anniversary, DANA has destroyed its headquarters in AlgemesĂ, and they need to replace the equipment to continue doing their incredible work of help. [+ INFO] Donations at: Santander ES56 0030 3053 2100 0014 4271 For international transfers the BIC code – SWIFT = BSCHESMM For BIZUM: 07188.
- MIRA’M FOUNDATION : Its mission is to improve the quality of life of people with autism and their families, as well as to raise awareness in society in general that they are full citizens. One of their premises is in the most affected area and also the families of their users have been affected. They have very specific needs to continue with the treatments of the users as well as to re-equip the center. [HELP HERE].
- FUNDACIĂN INICIATIVA SOCIAL. A non-profit organization created to contribute to socio-educational development. They are already working on an emergency plan to minimize the adverse effects on the education of children in the affected areas, who will need to rehabilitate their school spaces and limit school hours. [HELP HERE]
- MENSAJEROS DE LA PAZ. [HELP HERE]
- OXFAM. They are working with local organizations in Valencia that are on the front line to accompany people at risk such as migrants, domestic workers in precarious conditions and farm workers, with the aim of quickly meeting their most urgent needs related to shelter, food and psychosocial support. [HELP HERE]
- PLENA INCLUSIĂN. The DANA that has destroyed many towns in Valencia and Cuenca has also had an impact on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and the organizations that support them. They have opened a donation line to be able to attend the emergency situations of these families. [HELP HERE]
- PROTECTORA ANIMALES MODEPRAN BENIMĂMET [HELP HERE]
- PSICĂLOGOS/AS SIN FRONTERAS They have set up a toll-free emergency telephone number to offer support and crisis care to hundreds of people who have been directly or indirectly affected by the hurricane. [HELP HERE]
- SOLIDARITY ON WHEELS. A 100% charitable initiative created by Valencian volunteers to contribute to the restoration of the mobility of the population affected by the DANA through the donation of vehicles. Vehicles can be donated, or money for the purchase of vehicles. More than 100 have already been delivered and 600 are pending. And almost 14,000 requests from affected people. [HELP HERE]
- WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN was born from a simple idea: when there is hunger, send cooks TODAY, NOT TOMORROW. – WCK is a first response team for food needs. [HELP HERE]
REFLECTIONS
- Infographics Volunteering At Emergencies
- Juan Ăngel Poyatos, CEO & Fundador de Volies: “Effectively assist with volunteerism in emergencies such as the DANA“
- Benedetta Falletti, Directora de la Red Voluntare: «El voluntariado corporativo y la DANA en Valencia«.
Thank you for your solidarity!
