Direct Relief Supports First Responders in Spain After Devastating Floods

In response to the severe flooding that has impacted thousands of residents in and around Valencia, Spain, Direct Relief has provided a $135,000 emergency grant to Bomberos Unidos Sin Fronteras (BUSF), a Spanish search and rescue organization. The grant will support BUSF's upcoming deployment of medical staff, firefighters, and emergency management personnel to assist with search and rescue operations, medical evacuations, and services for displaced individuals, while also aiding in the cleanup and restoration of essential facilities.

Continued rainfall and widespread damage have hindered initial relief efforts and limited access to the hardest-hit areas. On Saturday, BUSF deployed an initial team of emergency responders and medical personnel to assess the situation, and they have since proposed a larger, coordinated response scheduled to begin on November 5. Over the coming week, this expanded team will work closely with the Provincial Valencia government, local fire departments, and other civil protection agencies to deliver urgently needed assistance to affected communities.

Direct Relief and BUSF have a strong history of collaboration in response to disasters. In 2023, Direct Relief provided emergency cash support to BUSF during their response to the Morocco earthquake, enabling BUSF to provide critical assistance in Morocco's hardest-hit areas. This new grant builds on that shared commitment to providing rapid, lifesaving aid when and where it's needed most.

As rescue efforts continue in Valencia, Direct Relief and BUSF will work together to ensure that essential resources reach affected communities swiftly, helping residents recover and rebuild from this devastating event.