The true face of solidarity is often revealed in times of great challenge. After the devastating floods in Valencia that killed more than 200 people, the need for help and support was enormous. In the midst of this disaster, two of our colleagues in Valencia decided to dedicate their time and energy to helping those affected.
They joined the renowned World Central Kitchen, known for its tireless work in providing hot meals to people in crisis situations. Her commitment has not only consisted of offering a plate of food, but also conveys hope and solidarity to those affected. Massive solidarity aid is an inspiring example for all of us.
In this article, they share their challenges and experiences and demonstrate the importance of standing together in times of crisis.
Ángela reports:
"Since October 29th, I have been volunteering at the World Central Kitchen (WCK) in response to the floods in Valencia. At first, I participated in the work on-site, but when the mud-shoveling became too much for me, I decided to contribute in other ways. Since then, I have been there every Friday morning and sometimes on weekends with my family to help in different areas where help is needed. This work is vital as many people have become homeless and until a few days ago there were households that did not have clean water in their homes. We at WCK are also providing food for volunteers, firefighters, military, and others who are helping with the emergency response. A lot of help is still needed and the community has had to mobilize in the face of inaction by the regional and national authorities.
Sara:
"You can't just stand by and watch a tragedy of this magnitude happen so close to home. The first thing we did was to buy a lot of food and basic necessities and take them to the Mestalla field, where they were collecting donations. My daughters were also working there. The whole city came out and took everything, it was impressive.
We were restless at home and felt that we could not stay without doing more. That's why my husband and I decided to take a leave of absence from our jobs and, together with our daughters, we volunteered to clean up the mud. They asked people if they needed help, and although they were reluctant at first, they finally said, "Well, if you want to..." And of course we said, "Of course! That's why we came here.
One of the houses we helped had to be shored up because it had lost a wall and there was half a meter of mud inside.
It was dangerous to be there: the bulldozers were working fast and without much care, and we were walking through knee-deep mud. We decided we didn't want to put ourselves in danger anymore, but we kept looking for ways to help. That's why we spend our weekends helping out at the WCK, where they hand out hot food. The truth is that it is a respite for the families who are having such a hard time.
The situation is especially difficult for the elderly. I remember some who can't use the elevator because it's broken, so they have to carry their food up the stairs step by step.
It is an exhausting but very rewarding experience. The entire population has come out to help, regardless of age. Everyone contributes what they can, and it shows how willing we are to help when the situation calls for it.
At CIB we also solaridarize ourselves and make our contribution
As a company, CIB has supported the important work of WCK with a donation. With this commitment, we are showing our solidarity with Sara and Ángela on the ground and helping the people affected by the disaster quickly and sustainably. Solidarity and responsibility are fundamental values for us, especially in times of suffering and need.
Thank you Sara and Ángela for your commitment!
Let´s CIB!
