It has been a week since the DANA devastated many cities and towns in the Valencian Country, causing 211 deaths and hundreds of missing people. Castilla-La Mancha and Malaga have also suffered its effects, with 4 people dead so far. In addition to the irreparable human losses, thousands of people have lost everything they had, they need immediate help (food, clothes, basic supplies…) and any collaboration is little.
Unfortunately, not all of us can go to the focus of the tragedy to help as volunteers, but there are many ways to contribute our bit to the situation, such as making donations of all kinds to help those affected, but what products and food can we donate at this time to help those affected by the DANA and where can we do it? Here we explain it to you.
Table Of Contents
What is most necessary to donate at this time?
Food
A week after the tragedy, many villages, especially the smaller ones, are still isolated and the food that is arriving is thanks to volunteers. Therefore, the donation of food and drink is essential.
It is convenient to donate packs of mineral water bottles or carafes. Not only so that those affected can eat and prepare food: in some areas the water supply is still cut off or the little water that is available may be contaminated by chemicals and organic debris that have accumulated in the wake of the DANA. Bottled water is safe water that can also be used for basic hygiene.
Regarding food donations, it is important to always opt for non-perishable and minimally prepared products: cans or jars of all kinds (fish, vegetables…), packaged floury products (cereals, cookies, toast or bread), bags of dried fruit, milk or juice cartons, compotes or ready-to-eat products that do not need refrigeration… Better to avoid products of more complex preparation (dried legumes, raw potato…), since in many areas the gas or electricity supply has not been reestablished.
Nor should we forget people with special needs, such as those with celiac disease, lactose intolerance, vegan diets or diabetes. If you can afford it, put some of these “special” foods in the shopping cart.
Regarding the care of children and the elderly: not all babies can be breastfed, so we can buy formula milks, especially those in brick format, since they do not require preparation. And if we buy jars we can give them a double use: feeding the little ones but also the elderly or sick people who cannot consume solid products.
Since many people have lost everything, they also do not have cutlery, glasses or crockery to eat. Therefore, donations of this type of disposable material are very much appreciated.
We could not leave out our furry friends either: donations of sacks of dog and cat food are also appreciated at all collection points, which will be distributed both to families with pets and to the affected shelters.
Basic hygiene and safety products
Basic daily hygiene products are still needed for those affected: soap, shampoo, wipes, diapers (for children but also for adults), intimate hygiene products, etc….
But as the days go by and volunteers arrive, hygiene and safety must go a little further: if you can, donate masks (preferably FPP2), work gloves, first aid supplies and waterproof boots. All these materials are essential to carry out clean-up work in the affected areas in complete safety and to avoid contamination and infectious diseases.
Cleaning materials
Affected people and volunteers will be grateful for all kinds of basic cleaning materials, especially those that can be used to clean the streets and clear the houses devastated by the DANA. In addition to various products (especially disinfectants), donations of buckets, shovels (for digging), large brooms, rakes or hoses, as well as machinery designed for complex cleaning tasks: “karchers”, water pumps… will be greatly appreciated.
Replacement of supplies
Many villages are still without basic services. Therefore, the donation of portable batteries (previously charged), solar batteries, batteries and flashlights, extension cords and “thieves”, as well as other sources of energy, is appreciated. In addition, so that neighbors can cook, you can donate stoves or portable stoves (“camping gas”).
Can I donate clothing?
Although during the first days of the emergency the population was urged to donate clothes and blankets, most collection points have been overwhelmed and for now other types of donations are prioritized. Anyway, if you would like to donate bags with textile material, there are points where they will surely accept them, just find out before you go. For example, some of them still receive underwear, especially socks.
Can I donate medicines?
It is not recommended to donate medicines in particular, and the Very Illustrious College of Pharmacists of Valencia (MICOF) has made a statement on this matter. On the 2nd of last month, they issued a statement on the matter, assuring that “the dispensing of medicines is assured” and from the General Directorate of Pharmacy they ask the public that, despite the good will with which it is done, “refrain from donating medicines” since their supply “must follow the channels established by the Ministry of Health to ensure the quality and traceability of the same to the patients”.
In the case of chronic patients, Health, Red Cross and the College of Pharmacists of Valencia have enabled the telephone number 965 918 658 to facilitate access to their medication (which will be automatically renewed). In addition, they remind that those who have lost their health card can pick up their medication by indicating their ID card number.
Where can I donate all these products?
The Catalan society has gone out of its way to help those affected by the SAR and both the city of Barcelona and the metropolitan area have many collection points where you can bring your donation.
Collection points in Barcelona
Public libraries (regular opening hours)
The public libraries of Barcelona have become, in collaboration with the Banc dels Aliments, a collection of basic necessities and food for those affected.
- Barceloneta Library – La Fraternitat.
- Library Fort Pienc – Ana Maria Moix.
- Vapor Vell Library.
- Montserrat Abelló Library.
- Les Corts Library – Miquel Llongueras.
- Sant Gervasi-Joan Maragall Library.
- Jaume Fuster Library.
- Vallcarca i els Penitents Library-M. Antonieta Cot.
- El Carmel-Juan Marsé Library.
- Horta-Can Mariner Library.
- Nou Barris-Aurora Díaz Plaja Library.
- Bon Pastor Library-Josefina Castellví.
- Trinitat Vella-José Barbero Library.
- Camp de l’Arpa Library-Caterina Albert.
Municipal markets:
- Mercat de la Guineueta. Until Wednesday, November 6. From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Lesseps Market. Until Friday. 8 Usual opening hours of the market.
- Santa Caterina Market. Until November 15th.
- Provençals Market. From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Premises and various associations:
- c/Florites de la Rambla, 1. Antiga Massana. Monday to Friday. From 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 21:00 hours.
- Av. Mistral, 14 local 5. Until Thursday 7 from 11:00 to 13:00 and from 17:00 to 21:00.
- C/ Ràfols 17-21. Asturian Center of Barcelona. From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- C/Melcior de Palau 70. Ona de Sants Montjuïc. Until Friday 8, from 18 to 19 hours.
- C/ Muntadas, 24. Casal Jaume Compte de Sants. Until Thursday 7th, from 6pm to 10pm.
- C/ Galileu, 252. Ateneu Popular de les Corts. Until Thursday 7th, from 10 am to 10 pm.
- C/ Dolors Masferrer, 29. Espai Jove Ca la Panarra. Until Thursday 7th, from 10 am to 10 pm.
- C/ Urrutia, 125. Casal Popular 3 Voltes Rebel de Nou Barris.
- C/ Elisi, 20. Espai Basset. Until Tuesday 6th from 7 pm to 9 pm.
Collection points in cities and towns of the metropolitan area
Badalona
- Pl/de Rafael de Campalans. From November 4 to 8, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- C/ de la Electrónica, 20. From 4 to 8 November, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- C/Coll i Pujol, 38. Monday to Friday, from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm and from 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm.
- Pl/Las Gaviotas s/n. From Monday to Friday, from 10:00 to 13:00.
- Pl/Maria Aurèlia Capmany, 6-9. Tuesday, from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm; Thursday, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm; and Friday, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
- Pasaje Río Congost, 13-15 – local 8. Monday to Thursday, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
- C/Europa, 14 – mezzanine 1. Monday to Thursday, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; and Friday, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Granollers
- C/Londres . Until the 6th, from 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
Mataró
- C/Carraco and Formiguera, 26-28. Days 4,5,6,7 and 8, from 7.00 to 19.00 hours.
Ripollet
- C/ Pizarro, 25. 4th and 5th, from 9.30 am to 1.30 pm and from 3.30 pm to 7.00 pm.
Terrassa
- Passeig 22 de Julio, 265. Recinte Firal de Terrassa. Until Friday 8, from 9:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 18:00.