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3 min read
11/11/2024
As many of you know, devastating floods struck our peaceful and happy Valencia region two weeks ago. The catastrophe has led to significant international attention and corporate responses, highlighting the impact of climate change on natural disasters. In the aftermath of the worst natural disaster in Europe in many decades, a new type of “inland tsunami” washed away people and ruined entire towns. Several major companies, including Apple, have announced donations to support relief and recovery efforts in the affected areas.
All Mediterranean regions are used to torrential rain. We used to call it "gota fría" (“cold drop”), and it killed 29 people in 1982 - but only as a result of a water reservoir collapsing. In 1957, a similar event flooded the city, and the river was diverted so it would never happen again. The riverbed is now a 10km park that thousands of locals and tourists visit daily.
This tragic event, which has claimed over 215 lives (many more are missing as they’ve been washed away into lakes and the ocean), serves as a stark reminder of the new increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events linked to global warming. More than 100,000 cars are write-offs. The fury of annual torrential rain is multiplied by warmer seas, which creates more humidity in the atmosphere and fuels rainfall at an unprecedented scale: some areas received a year’s worth of rain in just 6 hours. New streams were created where there have never been any. Anything, literally anything in its way, was washed away. The phenomenon was a mixture of a Katrina and a tsunami, but the water came from inland this time.
The event did not happen in the city of Valencia, but some of our employees have been affected. Luckily, Pangeanic is located in the northern part of the city, where conferences such as GALA were held early this year. There’s no business disruption except the personal level.
Donations: How You Can Help
In the face of new disasters, I would like to thank the global community and many friends and acquaintances for their concern. We have received letters and messages of support from clients, associates, and vendors all over the world. We are setting up a donation campaign. There will be personal donations, and we will give 5% of our turnover for the rest of 2024 to those in need with social media announcements. There has been a rapid response by some corporates I would like to mention.
Apple
Apple CEO Tim Cook expressed the company’s commitment to helping communities in need and announced a donation to assist with local relief efforts. This support aligns with Apple’s ongoing responses to natural disasters worldwide, as seen in similar situations following hurricanes and floods in other regions.
Telefónica
Telefónica’s Foundation is also making a financial contribution to supplement the donated amounts and is working with various social organizations to provide effective aid in the affected areas. Telefónica and its Foundation have taken swift action to assist the flood victims. The Spanish telecommunications giant has deployed both technical and human resources to help those affected and restore communications as quickly as possible. They are helping by
• Enabling free and unlimited data services and national calls in the affected areas
• Suspending charges for all affected landline services
• Launching the #MovilizadosPorLaDana campaign to collect donations
• Collaborating with the Red Cross to channel financial donations for essential materials
Santander Bank
The bank is offering several credit lines and waivers to all those affected.
• Loan payment deferrals for affected retail and business customers
• Fee waivers for certain banking services
• Simplified processes for requesting financial assistance
• Donations to local relief organizations
Santander has previously committed to community support by donating significant amounts to flood relief efforts and organizing fundraisers through its foundation.
Inditex
Inditex is the holding company of brands like Zara, and it has significantly contributed to the relief efforts in Valencia following the devastating floods. The company donated a total of 4 million euros, split equally between Cruz Roja and Cáritas Española. These funds are intended to support recovery and reconstruction efforts, including providing shelter and psychosocial support and facilitating cleanup operations. Additionally, Inditex employees are making voluntary contributions, which the company channels to various aid organizations. Inditex is also ready to provide clothing and household items as needed, coordinated by Cáritas
World Central Kitchen
They were among the first on the ground, cooking at full capacity and carrying all kinds of materials, but they need our help to continue helping those who have lost everything. Every donation adds up and makes a difference!
If you'd like to help them in this or any future actions, here's their direct link: https://donate.wck.org/team/410731
If you'd like to help them in this or any future actions, here's their direct link: https://donate.wck.org/team/410731
Other Corporate Contributions
While the provided search results do not provide specific information about Inditex’s response to the Valencia floods, it’s worth noting that many Spanish companies are likely to contribute to the relief efforts.
The Valencian Community Business Confederation has launched a website to organize aid efficiently and ensure it reaches those in need as quickly as possible.
These donations reflect a broader corporate response, with local and international companies joining the government’s coordinated effort to aid Valencia. Spain has declared three days of mourning, with public and private sectors aligned in helping those impacted by one of the worst flood events in European history.
The Broader Context: Climate Change and Extreme Weather
This catastrophic event in Valencia should all make us think about the urgent need for climate action. Global warming continues to intensify, and we can expect more frequent and severe weather events like this in major cities worldwide. It’s crucial that both individuals and corporations not only respond to these disasters but also work towards mitigating climate change to prevent future tragedies. This means less travel and pollution, considering how each action and technological development carries a pollution footprint.
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