67% of citizens say they have detected hoaxes linked to DANA in Valencia. In this sense, it is confirmed that the disinformation that appeared amid the confusion and chaos caused by the catastrophe of recent days has reached the vast majority of Spaniards. Furthermore, a study indicates that citizens paid great attention to information related to DANA: more than half of those questioned followed it “very closely” and 39% “fairly closely”.
A More in Common investigation, carried out ten days after the disaster, looked into the issues linked to DANA. For example, the rejection of the aggression suffered by the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, during his visit to Paiporta is overwhelming. Only 18% of the population believes that the attack “is justified”, even if 48% say they understand the reaction of neighbors while condemning it.
The survey also shows the great trust Spaniards have in their neighbors and the solidarity that the situation has generated: three out of four Spaniards helped those affected in one way or another. Among the most common actions are financial donations (34%) and delivery of food and basic necessities (35%). Furthermore, 12% claim to have participated directly in collection tasks.
Regarding public institutions, the vast majority of Spaniards (85%) consider them “fundamental” to deal with emergency situations like the one experienced in Valencia and other places in Spain during DANA. However, the study also indicates that three out of four respondents believe that Spain is poorly prepared to deal with this type of phenomenon.
Spaniards believe that climate change is the main driver of extreme phenomena such as DANA, with 77% of them attributing it to the increase in their destructive capacity. Furthermore, 88% consider it necessary to invest in adaptation measures, even if this involves a high economic cost, and 58% would be ready to pay more taxes to finance these initiatives.
Finally, among the most supported proposals to avoid the repetition of disasters of the same type, the ban on building in flood zones stands out (with 91%) and the promotion of a State pact against climate change (86 %).
