On the night of 29 to 30 October 2024, the region South of Valencia city experienced the most severe floods ever recorded in its history. Torrential rains devastated 79 municipalities, displacing thousands of families, damaging homes and businesses, and polluting the iconic Albufera Nature Park. As residents of Valencia city, we—Dorothee Fischer and Oliver Sharpe, co-founders of Legado Sharpe & Fischer—felt we had to act and help the people in the affected areas.
Leveraging our experience and existing infrastructure, including a fully equipped food truck, we launched the Foodtruck of Hope for Valencia Volunteer Team, coordinating over 50 volunteers to provide immediate relief to the affected communities and launching a crowdfunding campaign.
Phase 1: Emergency Relief
In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, we focused on:
- Distributing thousands of hot meals, drinks, and essentials to flood victims and volunteers.
- Providing safe spaces for rest, phone charging, and emotional support.
- Partnering with local suppliers to deliver food, hygiene products, school supplies, and pet food to families in need.
This first phase was about addressing the urgency of the crisis, and it allowed us to build strong connections with local institutions, organisations, and individuals in the hardest-hit areas such as Alfafar, Massanassa, Catarroja, Sedaví, Paiporta and Algemesí.
Phase 2: Recovery and Reconstruction
As the cleaning work progresses, we have transitioned our efforts toward long-term recovery. Many families are returning slowly to their homes that remain humid, in parts uninhabitable, or are stripped bare. Institutions and insurance aid, though essential, fall far short of what is needed, leaving a significant gap for community-driven support.
Our current initiatives include:
- Supporting Families: Purchasing essential appliances like washing machines, stoves, and radiators to help families rebuild their homes.
- Restoring Education: Delivering school supplies to children to re-establish normal routines.
- Community Cleanup: Organising volunteers to clean schools, neighbourhoods, and the Albufera Nature Park, which is critical for farmers‘ livelihoods.
- Rebuilding Local Businesses: Supplying equipment to small businesses like bakeries and grocery stores to help them reopen.
Why your support matters
More than 100,000 households have been affected by these floods. Thanks to the more than 300 people that donated in our crowdfunding campaign, we were able to collect more than 35000Euros so far. We have already made a tangible difference, but the road to recovery is long, and there is still so much to do.
Our crowdfunding campaign remains open, and every contribution directly supports families and communities in need. Together, we can ensure that those affected can return to homes that are safe, warm, and equipped for a fresh start in 2025.
Thank you for all your support in helping us bring hope to those who need it most.