My Life in Valencia

It’s hard to believe but it has been 12 days, almost two weeks, since the flash floods of Valencia. To be honest, not much has changed, or at least I think many of us thought things would be quite a bit better than they are. However, Valencia is still in recovery mode. Thousands of people have been impacted in some way. It’s hard to even calculate how many. Approximately 70 different municipalities/communities/village outside of the city of Valencia have been affected by the floods, and many of them destroyed. This map on the Visit Valencia website, shows how widespread the floods and damage are.

Almost two weeks later thousands of people are still flocking to communities to help dig them out of the mud. Some towns are still without water or electricity. The death toll in the Valencia region alone is at 212 with many still missing (the number is still unclear but I think it is close to 80). In the city, while visually it looks unaffected with people going about their normal business, you know it is still on everyone’s minds and hearts. You can still hear sirens and helicopters every day and now instead of weather alerts we get health alerts warning those in affected areas and volunteers helping with the cleanup efforts to protect themselves from illness by wearing appropriate protective gear. Transportation into the city is also still greatly impacted…the Metro is still closed and although there are some signs of improvement (some tram lines are now open and they say one of the main roads and the fast train line to and from Madrid will open next week) it is still extremely difficult to get around the city by car or public transportation. Berklee opened last Monday doing our best to restore some kind of normalcy for students. But for some faculty and staff getting to campus is still extremely difficult-trips that normally take less than 30 mins taking an hour an half or more. Following a request from the Valencia government Friday, Berklee announced that we were going partially remote meaning those who could not easily get to campus on foot or by bike could be remote. Last night over 130,000 people gathered in the Ayuntamiento to protest against the regional government and ask for the resignation of the head of the Valencia government for its handling of the situation both pre and post disaster.

And so here is where I am asking for your help. As I have said, the number of people who have been volunteering in some way is incredible. From donating food, supplies and-or money, to helping animals in the affected areas, to cleaning up and digging communities out….it´s quite amazing. There are a few different funds that people can donate to. One is the Spanish Red Cross and another called Cáritas which is a Catholic charity in Spain. Then there are other smaller grassroots fundraisers of people who are volunteering in the affected areas. There are two in particular that have caught my eye. One is a group of expat women who are helping to clean and deliver supplies to people in these communities. Another is called the Food Truck of Hope which goes out into the communities to provide food for the volunteers and deliver food and supplies as well. Please consider watching their appeals on GoFundMe and donating to one of these amazing groups. In order for them to continue to do the essential work that the are doing they need people like us to donate to their funds. Even the smallest amounts help. So please consider donating today. And thank you everyone for thinking of me and this amazing community that has become my home. Muchisimas gracias.