The images of streets flooded with mud and vehicles swept away in the towns of Valencia have led to the mobilisation of thousands of volunteers who have travelled to help in the clean-up and distribution of goods that continue to be sent to the area.

Evangelical churches and organisations in Valencia and the rest of Spain are also working together to send volunteers, food and basic goods to the evangelical community and the rest of the population affected by the floods, where access to electricity and drinking water is intermittently interrupted while waiting for state aid, which is not being provided as quickly as many need.

In the midst of an atmosphere of collaboration and neighbourly solidarity, the affected evangelicals report that, in general, the population remains calm, and they share in the pain of their communities.

Esta mañana a las 7'25h recibiendo a amigos de la iglesia, los primeros que han entrado en Paiporta al salir el sol. Agradecido por poder ser familia en medio del desastre. Material para unas 5 familias, amigos y vecinos que no tienen familiares cerca. pic.twitter.com/jGnSH2QPc4

— Joel Forster (@joelfwal) November 1, 2024

Local churches damaged

Several local evangelical churches have reported material damage to their premises, such as the Somos Christian Community in Alfafar.

"The floods have destroyed the entire church premises. It has broken all the electronic equipment we have and several members of the church are homeless," explains Josué Murillo, pastor of the congregation.

Although they have received the help of volunteers from churches in Valencia who have travelled to the site, the church is also involved in distributing aid in its own community and has set up a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds to buy the necessary materials and products.

"We are mobilising as much as we can. We have refurbished our premises a bit by removing all the floor and creating a safe area from which to distribute food and clothes because we collaborate with the Alfafar Town Council to provide personalised assistance to elderly people who live in high-rise flats and cannot go down to the street to collect food", says the congregation pastor..

"Many people are seeing hope in our lives and in our work, and are feeling embraced", he adds.

The Christian Hope Centre in the Valencian neighbourhood of La Torre, one of the areas worst affected by the storm, has lost all the equipment they had on the ground floor of their premises.

Imágenes que nos llegan del local de la iglesia Comunidad Cristiana Somos, en Alfafar, uno de los municipios más afectados por la Dana. El pastor de la congregación asegura que lo han perdido todo. pic.twitter.com/t0OUcdkvJL

— Protestante Digital (@protestanted) November 2, 2024

Coordinated help

Ángela Gloria, from the New Hope church and also the coordinator of the Decision organisation in Valencia, tells Spanish news website Protestante Digital, that "there are several groups of volunteers from Decision and from several churches who have joined the local residents".

"One of the strategies we use is to take a street and join the people in the clean-up work, with picks, shovels and industrial brooms. Little by little we are getting out of the mud. Between all of us we will be able to help each other and move forward", she explains.

"I see many church pastors, teachers, neighbours, etc. collaborating. It is an opportunity to work in community. People have welcomed us with open arms", adds Gloria.

The Valentia Christian Community church in the Valencia city has mobilised a group of around 40 volunteers to help the Somos Christian Community church in Alfafar with the cleaning of their premises.

Furthermore, they collect food and basic goods which they then distribute in coordinated groups that leave from Valencia. "We are not going to distribute food in the street, but are meeting people at strategic points or in their homes to avoid crowds", they explain.

Meanwhile, the Evangelical Council of the Valencian region (CECVA) postponed its celebration of Reformation Day on 31 October and has provided a bank account for churches to deposit donations.

National aid

At the national level, several evangelical entities, organisations and denominations have launched aid campaigns for those affected by the disaster in Valencia.

Decision and GAiN (Agape) are coordinating the sending of groups of volunteers and the collection of materials to equip them, as well as food and basic necessities for the victims.

Diaconia has set up a section on its website to make donations, as well as to deliver food in an organised way. They have also set up a digital window for victims to ask for help.

The Federation of Independent Evangelical Churches of Spain (Fieide) has also provided a bank account for churches to make donations for aid in Valencia.