It’s already been a week since DANA has devastated many cities and towns in the Valencian countrycausing 211 deaths and hundreds missing. Also Castilla-La Mancha and Malaga have suffered the effects, with 4 deaths so far. In addition to the irreparable human losses, thousands of people have lost everything they had, they need immediate help (food, clothes, basic necessities…) and any collaboration is too little.
Unfortunately, not all of us can go to the site of the tragedy to help as volunteers, but there are many ways to contribute to the situation, such as making donations of all kinds to help those affected, but What products and foods can we donate right now to help people affected by DANA and where can we do it? We explain it to you here.
What is the most important thing to donate right now?
The food
A week after the tragedy, many villages, especially the smaller ones, are still isolated and the food that arrives is thanks to the volunteers. Therefore, Donating food and drinks is essential.
It’s a good idea to donate packs of bottles or jugs of mineral water. This is not only to allow those affected to eat and prepare food: in some areas the water supply is still interrupted or the little water present could be contaminated by the chemicals and organic debris that have accumulated following DANA. Bottled water is safe and can even be used for basic hygiene.
When it comes to food donations, it is important to always opt for non-perishable and minimally prepared products: boxes or jars of all types of food (fish, vegetables, etc.), packaged floury products (cereals, biscuits, rusks or sliced bread), bags of dried fruit, cartons of milk or fruit juices, compotes or ready-to-eat products to eat that do not require refrigeration…. It is better to avoid more complex preparation products (dried legumes, raw potatoes…), since in many areas gas or electricity supplies have not been restored.
Source: Municipality of Barcelona
We shouldn’t forget people with special needs either, such as celiacs, lactose intolerants, vegans or diabetics. If you can afford it, put some of these “special” foods in your shopping cart.
As for the care of children and the elderly: not all children can be breastfed, so we can buy formula milk, especially those in brick format, because they do not require preparation. And if we buy jars we can use them for two purposes: to feed the little ones but also the elderly or the sick who cannot consume solid products.
Since many people have lost everything, they don’t even have cutlery, glasses or crockery to eat with. Donations of this type of disposable material are therefore greatly appreciated.
We couldn’t leave out our furry friends either: donations from are also welcome at all collection points bags of dog and cat foodwhich will be distributed to both families with pets and affected shelters.
Source: Municipality of Barcelona
Basic hygiene and safety products
There is minimal help offering basic products for the daily hygiene of those affected: soap, shampoo, wipes, diapers (for children but also for adults), intimate hygiene products…
But as the days pass and the volunteers arrive, hygiene and safety must go a little further: if you can, donate masks (preferably FPP2), work gloves, first aid material and sneakers. All these materials are essential to carry out cleaning work in the affected areas in complete safety and to avoid contamination and infectious diseases.
Cleaning material
Affected people and volunteers will be grateful for all kinds of basic cleaning materials, especially those used to clean the streets and clear out houses devastated by DANA. In addition to various products (especially disinfectants), donations from will be greatly appreciated buckets, shovels (for digging), large brooms, rakes or hoses, as well as machinery designed for complex cleaning tasks: “karchers”, water pumps….
Replace supplies
Many villages still lack basic services. For this reason, the donation of is appreciated portable batteries (previously charged), solar batteries, batteries and flashlights, extension cables and “thieves”, as well as other energy sources. Furthermore, it is possible donate stoves or portable kitchens (“camping gas”) so that the neighbors can cook.
Can I donate clothes?
Although in the first days of the emergency people were asked to donate clothes and blankets, most of the collection points were overwhelmed and for the moment, priority is being given to other donations. However, if you would like to donate bags of textiles, there are places that will definitely accept them, just ask before you go. For example, some still accept underwear, especially socks.
Can I donate medicines?
Donating medications in particular is not recommended, and the College of Pharmacists of Valencia (MICOF) has released a statement on the matter. On the 2nd of last month they issued a statement on the subject, which states that “the dispensing of drugs is ensured” and the General Directorate of Pharmacy asks citizens, despite the good will with which they do so, to “refrain from donating medicines” as their supply “must follow the channels established by the Regional Ministry of Health to guarantee the quality and traceability of medicines to patients”.
In the case of chronic patients, the Department of Health, the Red Cross and the College of Pharmacists of Valencia have set up a telephone number 965 918 658 to facilitate access to their medicines (which will be automatically renewed). They also remind people who have lost their health cards that they can collect their medications by providing their identity card number.
Where can I donate all these products?
The Catalan company has been working hard to help those affected by SARS 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 (during usual times):
- Barceloneta Library – La Fraternitat.
- Forte Pienc Library – Ana María Moix.
- Vapor Vell Library.
- Montserrat Abelló Library.
- Les Corts Library – Miquel Llongueras.
- Sant Gervasi-Joan Maragall Library.
- Jaume Fuster Library.
- Vallcarca Library and the Penitents-M. Antonieta Cot.
- The Carmel-Juan Marsé Library.
- Horta-Can Mariner Library.
- Nou Barris-Aurora Díaz Plaja Library.
- Bon Pastor-Josefina Castellví Library.
- Trinitat Vella-José Barbero Library.
- Camp de l’Arpa Library-Caterina Albert.
Municipal markets:
- Market of Guineueta. Until Wednesday 6 November. From 8.00 to 14.00.
- Lesseps Market. Until Friday. 8 Normal market opening hours.
- Santa Caterina Market. Until November 15th.
- Provençal Market. From 8.00 to 14.00.
Various clubs and associations:
- c/Florites de la Rambla, 1. Antiga Massana. From Monday to Friday. From 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 21:00.
- Av. Mistral, 14 local 5. Until Thursday 7th from 11:00 to 13:00 and from 17:00 to 21:00.
- C/ Ràfols 17-21. Asturian center of Barcelona. From 10:00 to 20:00.
- C/Melcior de Palau 70. Ona de Sants Montjuïc. Until Friday 8, 6 to 7 p.m.
- C/Montadas, 24. Casal Jaume Account of Saints. Until Thursday 7, 6 p.m.-10 p.m.
- C/ Galileo, 252. Ateneu Popular de les Corts. Until Thursday 7, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- C/ Dolors Masferrer, 29. Espai Jove Ca la Panarra. Until Thursday 7th, from 10.00 to 22.00.
- C/ Urrutia, 125. Casal Popular 3 Voltes Rebel de Nou Barris.
- C/ Elisi, 20. Espai Basset. Until Tuesday 6th, from 7pm to 9pm.
Collection points in the cities and towns of the metropolitan area
Badalona
- Pl/de Rafael de Campalans. Nov. 4-8, 5 p.m.-8 p.m.
- C/ de la Electrónica, 20. From 4 to 8 November, from 7.30am to 1.30pm and from 3pm to 7pm.
- C/Coll i Pujol, 38. From Monday to Friday, from 10.00 to 13.00 and from 17.00 to 20.00.
- Pl/Las Gaviotas s/n. From Monday to Friday, from 10.00 to 13.00.
- Pl/Maria Aurèlia Capmany, 6-9. Tuesday, from 10.30am to 1pm; Thursday, from 10.30am to 12.30pm; Friday, 4pm to 7pm.
- Pasaje Río Congost, 13-15 – local 8. From Monday to Thursday, from 9:00 to 12:00.
- C/Europa, 14 – mezzanine 1. From Monday to Thursday, from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm; on Fridays, from 6.00pm to 9.00pm.
Granollers
- C/London . Until the 6th, from 11.00 to 13.00.
Mataró
- C/Carraco i Formiguera, 26-28. Days 4,5,6,7 and 8, from 7.00 to 19.00.
Ripollet
- C/ Pizarro, 25. 4 and 5, from 9.30am to 1.30pm and from 3.30pm to 7pm.
terrace
- Passeig 22 de Julio, 265. Recinte Firal de Terrassa. Until Friday 8th, from 9:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 18:00.
