The Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande Marlaskaappeared this Friday during the press conference following the meeting of the Integrated operational coordination center (CECOPI) of the urgency of the DANA to signal the “maximum support” of the Government for the actions of the autonomous administration led by Carlos Mazon.
Marlaska conveyed the “maximum support of the State for the management of this serious emergency from which the community of Valencia is suffering.” In this same intervention, he announced that this Saturday 500 other members of the army would join to face the consequences of the damage in the province of Valencia, and he insisted on demanding that the mobility of individuals be restricted so as not to hinder. This figure will total more than 2,000 soldiers deployed in the area.
Beyond the aid announced by Marlaska, the Ministry of Defense of Marguerite Robles announced through a message on the social network “Ultimately, there will be 2,000 soldiers deployed for tasks, among others, of clearing rubble, rescue and distribution of supplies”, they specify from the Interior.
As this aid reaches the population, localities have asked for help from citizen volunteers with pickup trucks, heavy trucks, shovels and cleaning equipment. Chiva, Catarroja, Utiel, Alfafar, Benifaió, Manises, Cullera or Torrent requested this material “urgently”.
In the case of Chiva, he even asked for “a psychologist” to be able to cope with the shock of this natural disaster. The mayor of Chiva, Amparo Fortstressed that their population remains “without water, without electricity and without any communication”. But above all he considers that the most urgent thing is “food and drinking water”. “Medical services are also beginning to be needed, including a psychologist,” he stressed.
Thousands of volunteers on foot
Thousands of Valencian citizen volunteers traveled on foot, even dozens of kilometers, to be able to contribute to the rescue and debris removal efforts. The Emergency Service of the Generalitat Valenciana expressed its “deep gratitude to the population” for “the help it provides to the affected populations”.
He nevertheless asked citizens not to travel by car: “Please do not travel with vehicles even to help areas affected by DANA.” “Delays are occurring, access roads are collapsing and emergency services are struggling to do their jobs,” he stressed. “Thank you for your understanding and solidarity,” concluded the 112 emergency service. The most affected towns were especially those of Sedaví, Alfafar, Paiporta, Picanya, Albal and Catarroja.
At the same event where Marlaska appeared, Mazón assured that he could strengthen measures to ensure the passage of emergency vehicles due to the collapse of the roads after the mobilization of Valencians due to the lack of action by the administrations : “We are not directing restrictive measures in the coming hours to prevent the roads from being clogged with cars.”
In addition, the Valencian Generalitat has created a whatsapp channel with five different numbers so that, through it, requests for help are routed, as well as sending entities, companies and institutions that wish to collaborate. The telephone numbers are as follows:
- Utility: 659289726
- Horta Sud: 682177249
- La Ribera: 619975059
- Hoya de Buñol: 690027099
- Castellón: 679161664
Mazón has also created an account for citizens who wish to make donations for those affected by DANA. The number of this account is: ES94 0081 0693 6100 0242 3445.
Account of donations concerned by DANA:
👉🏻 ES94 0081 0693 6100 0242 3445 pic.twitter.com/Rwgac89pMB
– Carlos Mazón (@carlos_mazon_) November 1, 2024
