This morning, the Miguel Hernández University of Elche donated 45,100 euros to help alleviate the effects of the October 2024 flash flooding. This donation was formalized in a ceremony at the Rectorado by UMH Vice Rector for Internationalization and Cooperation, Vicente Micol, along with the President of the Spanish Red Cross in the Valencian Community, Rafael Gandía.

Other individuals present at this ceremony included the autonomous delegate of universities, Jesús Rodríguez; president of the Spanish Red Cross in the Province of Alicante, Paco Galvañ; Vice Rector for Economics and Society, María José López; the director of the Service of International Relations and Cooperation, Inma Blaya; and the Head of the Area of Cooperation at the UMH, Laura Parilla.

A donation agreement was signed between the UMH and the Red Cross that stipulates that the funds raised in a fundraising campaign that involved contributions from UMH employee salaries would be allocated to address the ongoing needs of the affected population, as well as any urgent actions that the Red Cross deems necessary.

Today’s donation is in addition to the 25,000 euros donated by the UMH last week during a visit by Vicente Micol and María José López to Paiporta to fund repairs for classrooms at Berenguer Dalmau de Catarroja High School and María Moliner Ruiz Publice Library of Paiporta.

These actions by the UMH are further proof of its continuous commitment to help areas affected by the horrible flash flooding. Besides these financial donations, the UMH organized a ‘Volunteer for a Day’ initiative wherein some fifty university community members traveled to towns affected and contributed a complete working day to lend assistance there. The UMH has also set up a crowdfunding platform so external individuals can directly donate money, and this university also contributed in the preparation of a legal guidance handbook for those affected by the flooding.

Ever since this horrible emergency, the Spanish Red Cross within the Valencian Community has mobilized workers and volunteers to assist the people affected. Such aid has consisted in providing housing, health care, as well as psychosocial support. The Red Cros has also formulated a response plan to contribute to the resilience and recovery of the communities affected.