More than 200 people are estimated to have died in the Valencia flooding, with many more having lost their homes and had their livelihoods taken away from them. All of this has devastated the communities of suburbs and towns situated just on the outskirts of Spain's third-largest city.
The people of the Valencia region are still coming to terms with the impact of the floods, with entire streets and residential areas piled high with waste, mud, cars, and the debris of destroyed buildings. And the aftermath has left communities in desperate need of help.
A region devastated
At Contese Agency, we are a proudly Valencian company, founded by adopted Valencia citizens. We live in this city for its quality of life, its wonderful people and the amazing natural surroundings, from the sea to the mountains and the green farmland.
As an agency, we are doing our part by donating, both at a company and an individual level. We also want to encourage others to contribute towards one of the best causes to donate to at the moment –– a cause close to our hearts.
Although help is arriving and while the news stories will invariably move on, many people are still suffering. People are homeless and entire businesses have been wiped out - these were areas where many industries and family-run businesses were based.
Communities work tirelessly to clean their streets and houses, some still without running water and the machinery to ease the burden. And while we're incredibly grateful to the authorities – the army, police officers and civil guards who have come to help – this is a job for all of us.
We're immensely proud of all the Spaniards and Valencian's who have come together to help under the phrase “el pueblo ayuda al pueblo” “the people help the people”, with a spirit of togetherness and a shared responsibility to help restore this beautiful part of the world.
Support for Chiva
There are so many towns that have been affected on the outskirts of the city of Valencia. But perhaps the worst affected by the flood in Valencia was the town of Chiva, a place that was very slow to receive emergency assistance due to its remote location.
A small community located just 30 kilometres inland from Valencia, Chiva is a place that’s close to our hearts. The team at Contese Agency has personal links to this town, which is why we are focusing our fundraising here, where locals are helping each other out, supporting the elderly population and attempting to make sense of this devastating natural disaster.
A humble town with an older population, many in Chiva didn’t have insurance, others are unable to clear out and restore their houses without significant help. Food and bottled water are still being sent to the town by generous volunteers and local businesses.
The level of destruction is such that it’s expected to take years to restore this beautiful community to its former self. While the people will be forever affected by this catastrophe, we at Contese Agency will do all we can to help restore a sense of normalcy to the lives of the people of Chiva.
Solidarity from around the world
We're so proud to have seen how many people from around the world have come forward to help. Volunteers from across Spain come to assist in the clear-up effort, while donations have poured in from across Europe and from further afield. But so much more needs to be done, which is why we're calling for people to help match our donations and show their support.
Below, you will find a link to one of the best places to donate for those affected in Chiva. These donations will go towards re-establishing critical services, providing housing assistance for those who have lost their homes, and the monumental clean-up and reconstruction of the damage that has devastated the town. Additionally, funds will be used for distributing water, food, and clothing.
The local town hall in Chiva has created a single official account for people to send donations. All donations go through the local authorities directly to the people of Chiva, guaranteeing that your money reaches the people who need it most. For a low-income town that is doing all it can to help its citizens, this injection of cash is a lifeline.
We're honoured to call Valencia our home, and we’re immensely proud of how Valencian's have reacted to this tragedy –– with a spirit of togetherness. All we ask is for your additional support, even if it’s just the smallest amount, to help the people across the region rebuild their lives in the wake of the flooding in Valencia.