Science journal The Lancet released a letter of Universitat de València Faculty of Nursing and Podiatry professor Yasmin Ezzatvar and Ecuador’s Universidad de Las Américas José Francisco López-Gil focusing on the importance of implementing preparatory strategies for disasters in Spain such as the recent DANA. This letter incluso proposals such as alerting systems, more resilient infrastructure against climate phenomena and quick and coordinated response protocols along with clear communication and proper resources.
The letter aims to highlight how grave these unprecedented floods’ consequences have been for Valencian Community since 29 October 2024.
The authors mention the need for better preparation against disasters such as these, with more efficient alert systems, better emergency coordination and resources that get there in time to save lives and reduce the suffering.
“Releasing this letter in The Lancet allows us not only to have scientific documentation on the disaster but also ensures it to have an international impact that promotes a global knowledge exchange that contributes to prevention and management of similar events in the future” assures Yasmin Ezzatvar.
Among the main ideas set on the letter, Ezzatvar and López-Gil notice the similarities between this flood and those that occurred in Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, with a common factor on the government late response and lack of preparation against a disaster of this level. They also notice the lack of coordination: “Even though the red alert was sent, authorities belittled the danger at the beginning, leading many people to not take proper measures. Phone alerts arrived too late and flood were already causing damage” according to experts on the letter.
Professors Ezzatvar and López-Gil also remark the damage on infrastructure and basic service: “The flood destroyed roads, bridges and electric lines, leaving many people without fresh water, powerless and lacking of medicines. This complicated the rescue operations and put people’s health at risk, causing possible illness outbreaks”.
The authors dedicate a section of the letter to citizens: “Against the lack of resources from the Government, many people and communities organised themselves to help the affected areas, even if they had to get there by foot. This was crucial, even if it shows that there’s a need to improve quick and efficient responses from the official emergency services”.
The text includes consequences on physical and mental health. The medical problems such as lacking important treatment lead victims and rescue teams to an emotional heavy hit, requiring psychological attention to prevent long term consequences.
Read the full text here.
