“How is it possible that with everything that has been donated, there are people in Valencia who have nowhere to live or what to eat?” “They have to explain to me where the money from so many donations is… I have many affected friends and so far no one has seen a euro.” “Where are the donations? Who controls the money? Will it get lost along the way?” These are some of the messages sent by users of the enormous sum raised, in a wave of solidarity unprecedented in the history of Spain.
This newspaper asked the main NGOs what amount they have raised in the campaigns launched and how this money is used or is planned to be used. Del 84 million euros that the Red Cross received to the 42.8 of Cáritas, to the 100 million distributed by the Amancio Ortega Foundation or to what was obtained in hundreds of campaigns launched by private individuals on social media platforms. collective financing like gofundme.
In this way, for exmaple, Violeta Ferrer, a 21-year-old student, received almost 500,000 euros for the victims. David Aliagas, 24 years old, entrepreneur and responsible for growth (growth manager) convinced thousands of young people to do so donate those that would cost you to drink and raised 300,000 euros. Violeta and David are analyzing which group to transfer the amount to so that it reaches the people and companies affected. Another initiative for the Refugio de María and other animal shelters already has 65,000 euros. The sedajazz music school, 31,000. the claim of the couple formed by Alejandro and María Laura, Peruvian artists with a home in Paiporta, already amounts to 43 thousand euros. Ivan Alemany, quadriplegic, who he lost his adapted car in DANA35,600. “Help a family with four children from Catarroja”, 18,000 euros.
the Red cross, the institution that received the most donations, breaks down the 84 million collected as follows: 48 million individuals35 from businesses and one from the state management. With this, explains the Red Cross, a response plan has been launched which will develop over three years and in three phases: immediate response phase, recovery phase and strengthening and resilience phase. To date and in the immediate response phase, they detail, it has offered 216,000 assistshosted nearly 4,000 people in shelters and delivered 33,000 hygiene kits. They mobilized 4,800 volunteers for DANA, about 800 per day.
“The next steps to be followed in the immediate future include the delivery of necesary goods, economic deliveries (wallet cards) and psychosocial assistance, with the aim of reach approximately 60,000 people“, they explain. The second phase, that of recovery, will provide aid for unemployment and support for businesses. The budget for the first phases is 20 million euros. The third, “strengthening and resilience”, will focus on “educational actions and awareness raising” in the face of emergencies such as DANA, in the “activation of early warning mechanisms: family emergency plans, response training, exercises and supply of first aid kits” and in the “strengthening of institutional capacities in rescue work” .
Caritasfor its part, the second with the most donations has managed to collect so far 42.8 million euros, of which almost 13 million were collected by Cáritas Valencia. “In four weeks, donations are approaching the sum obtained during the seven months in which the campaign for the Covid-19 health crisis was opened, which raised a total of 65 million euros”, underlines Cáritas the size of the solidarity with Valencia.
This same week, they explain, a team went to Valencia to evaluate how to use the funds. “We are dedicated to serving the most disadvantaged people, those who do not have access to public assistance, such as. And we must take this into account parishes have lost many records and we must locate those people again and see what situation they are in so that the help reaches those who really need it”, they say. His delegation in Valencia has already distributed 1.5 million euros to the teams of the 26 parish Caritas affected .
From the Food Bank of Valencia they communicate that they have received 5.74 million kilos of productsof which they distributed 3.08 million. 40% of its supplies are water, 30% hygiene and cleaning products, 20% food and 10% clothing.
The 100 million euros donated by Amancio Ortega Foundation They are already in the coffers of 40 municipal councils to whom it was assigned: 38 Valencians plus Letur (Albacete) and Mira (Cuenca). The instructions given to the municipalities, explains the Foundation, provide that the affected people will be awarded 3,000, 6,000 or 10,000 euros, a maximum, depending on the severity of their situation. The distributed amounts will then be verified.
“From Valencia to Valencia” This is an initiative led by Michelin starred chefs Ricard Camarena, Begona Rodrigo and Quique Dacostawho, in collaboration with the Valencian Business association, have mobilized the main Spanish and world chefs to organize simultaneous dinners with which they will raise funds this December 13th.
The Horta Sud Foundation – this is the name of the most affected region – has obtained 175,000 euros through Gofundme which will be allocated to the affected associations: 2,000 in the region, 1,000 at Ground Zero.
And we must mention the campaign of the family of the Venezuelan woman from Lourdes, who died in DANA together with her three-month-old daughter, leaving two other children aged 10 and 12 orphans.Him the minors’ grandfather moved from Venezuela to serve them and launched a request on Gofundme to be able to rent an apartment to settle in with them. Once he obtained the 16 thousand euros he needed, he closed it. “In Valencia they are already installed,” says a family friend, “but we had to look at many apartments because no one wanted to rent them to an undocumented person with two children.”
– What are the long-term strategies being implemented by NGOs to build community resilience after a disaster?
Interview between Time.news Editor and NGO Expert
Editor: Good morning, and thank you for joining us today. With the recent surge in donations following the recent crises in Valencia, we’ve seen an unprecedented outpouring of solidarity across Spain. However, many people are questioning where this money is going and why those in need still seem to be struggling. To help clarify these issues, I’m speaking with [Expert’s Name], a representative from [NGO Name]. welcome!
Expert: Thank you for having me. It’s a critical time, and I appreciate the prospect to discuss these vital matters.
Editor: Let’s begin with the core of the concern: Many individuals are asking, “Where are the donations?” Could you shed some light on how the funds raised are being managed and allocated?
Expert: Absolutely. There has indeed been an enormous amount of money raised—around 84 million euros by the red Cross, for instance—and it’s essential to understand that these funds are allocated in phases. The Red Cross has launched a thorough three-phase response plan: immediate response, recovery, and strengthening and resilience.
Editor: That sounds systematic. Can you break down how much has been spent in each phase so far and on what it has gone towards?
Expert: In the immediate response phase, such as, the Red Cross has already assisted 216,000 people, provided shelter for nearly 4,000 individuals, and distributed 33,000 hygiene kits. They’ve mobilized nearly 4,800 volunteers—a meaningful effort. The budget for the first phases alone is around 20 million euros, which goes towards essential services such as food, shelter, and hygiene support.
Editor: It’s fantastic that so many volunteers have stepped up. Though, you mentioned that funds are still being allocated. Some citizens who have been affected claim they have not received any support. How do you respond to these criticisms?
Expert: That’s an important point. While the NGOs are acting swiftly, the process can be complex, especially when dealing with large sums and many affected individuals. The next steps include delivering necessary goods, economic assistance via wallet cards, and psychosocial support, aiming to reach around 60,000 people. Yet, it’s crucial for recipients to understand that aid distribution takes time to ensure it’s fair and effective.
editor: What about the individual campaigns initiated on platforms like GoFundMe? We’ve seen young individuals like Violeta Ferrer raise substantial amounts. How do these funds work in coordination with larger NGOs?
Expert: Individual campaigns do play a vital role and frequently enough raise money rapidly in response to urgent needs.However, they usually require careful planning when it comes to distribution. It’s important for these fundraisers to coordinate with local NGOs to ensure funds assist those who need it most. Often, these funds are transferred to established organizations that can efficiently deliver aid.
Editor: Aside from immediate support,what long-term measures are planned in the “strengthening and resilience” phase?
Expert: This third phase focuses on educational actions,awareness raising,and establishing early warning mechanisms for future emergencies. It’s about building community resilience so that individuals and families can better prepare for and respond to disasters.
Editor: It sounds like a holistic approach is indeed being taken. Though, could you perhaps address some skepticism surrounding the control and transparency of the donation management?
Expert: Transparency is crucial, and NGOs are held accountable through various oversight mechanisms. We continually communicate donation flows and expenditure to the public, ensuring that donors can clearly see how their contributions are making a difference. Each NGO has its processes, but many are committed to regular updates and reports.
Editor: Thank you for addressing these concerns.Before we wrap up, is there a message you’d want to convey to the citizens who are still worried about the situation?
Expert: Yes, I’d like to say that we understand your concerns and frustrations. we’re working tirelessly to manage the influx of donations and provide the necessary aid effectively. Please continue to support these initiatives and be patient as we navigate this complex situation. Together,we can make a significant impact in restoring lives and communities.
Editor: Thank you, [Expert’s Name], for shedding light on these important issues. We hope for a swift and effective recovery for everyone affected in Valencia.
Expert: Thank you for having me. It’s a collective effort, and every donation does help.
