Victims of Valencia Floods Demand Accountability and Support from EU Leaders
On Tuesday, three prominent victims' associations of the DANA in Valencia formally requested European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to ensure a thorough follow-up on the use of European funds designated for the reconstruction of areas ravaged by the catastrophic floods on October 29. The associations urged her to visit the disaster-stricken zones, which von der Leyen has agreed to, contingent upon the release of funds that are pending evaluation by Brussels.
In April, von der Leyen visited Valencia but did not meet with the victims or visit the affected municipalities. Instead, she hosted a meeting inviting the victims' groups to Brussels to hear their concerns in detail. Following a one-and-a-half-hour meeting with representatives from the DANA 29 October Victims Association, the DANA 29O Fatalities Association, and the Horta Sud València DANA Victims Association, the spokespersons expressed gratitude for receiving attention from both von der Leyen and the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola.
The victims have reported feeling institutional neglect from the Generalitat and welcomed the opportunity to voice their concerns. Von der Leyen acknowledged her absence from the disaster sites, attributing it to logistical and institutional reasons, and emphasized her non-partisan role as Commission President.
In their post-meeting press conference, the victims’ associations reiterated their call for von der Leyen to make a visit to understand the ongoing struggles faced by residents, six months after the deadly floods. They indicated that von der Leyen mentioned that her trip could align with the unlocking of the Solidarity Fund aid requested by the Spanish Government; a process that is still underway.
To date, Brussels has authorized an advance of 100 million euros for urgent reconstruction efforts, but the Spanish government estimates that the total eligible costs for financing from the Solidarity Fund amount to approximately 4.404 billion euros. The final decision on the disbursed amount rests with the European Commission.
The victims illustrated several pressing needs that have yet to be addressed, including the repair of 5,000 to 6,000 non-functional elevators, the reconstruction of schools which have not yet begun, and the need for repairs of hundreds of garages. In their discussions, they urged Brussels to ensure that European aid used for recovery is closely monitored to prevent misallocation related to climate change denial.
Christian Lesaec, president of the Horta Sud València DANA Victims Association, emphasized that von der Leyen pledged to oversee the proper utilization of these funds. He noted that they urged Brussels to impose conditions to ensure the aid is specifically directed toward projects that address climate change, thus preventing future calamities.
Rosa María Álvarez, President of the DANA 29O Fatalities Association, conveyed that von der Leyen also highlighted the importance of ensuring that reconstruction projects incorporate lessons learned from the Valencia disaster to improve emergency preparedness across the EU.
The associations further reported that von der Leyen, acknowledging their experiences, deemed them direct witnesses of climate denialism, expressing her disapproval of skepticism towards climate change among some leaders without specifying any individual regimes.
Metsola, separately, has taken steps to engage with the victims, committing to reach out to the President of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, urging better communication and response to the victims' concerns. She has promised to monitor the situation closely and work on ensuring that EU support provides adequate psychological assistance.
In subsequent communications, the associations expressed their appreciation for the empathy shown by the European leaders during their meetings in Brussels. They noted their frustration with previous neglect from Valencian institutions, as they participated in discussions that included various political factions, excluding only the right-wing MEPs from that dialogue. The Popular Party declined an invitation for a group discussion, preferring to hold a bilateral meeting instead, which is scheduled to happen soon with MEP Esteban González Pons.
As the victims and their advocates continue to navigate the aftermath of the floods, their calls for accountability and effective resource management remain at the forefront of their efforts, aiming to prevent future tragedies and ensure that their voices are heard and valued by those in power.
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