More than 80 bodies have been handed over to the families of flood victims near Valencia, out of 219 victims according to a still provisional assessment. But, when it comes time to bury the dead, difficulties pile up for funeral services: flooded cemeteries, ravaged funeral homes, or even hearses swept away. At the same time, the disrupted daily lives of the victims are also being reorganized.
2 mins
With our special correspondent in Valencia, Pauline Gleize
On the square in front of the church in the La Torre district, in Valenciafood, water and even medicines are distributed on a stretch of sidewalk. In front of the Red Cross truck, a table and a few bags of medicine serve as a pharmacy.
At the start of the week, Enrique Fuser tried his luck. “ I came to get some food and saw them. Since the flood, I have not had any medicine. I called Health Assistance, but they didn’t answer me anywhere. “, he explains.
Address the emergency
Diego Fernandez Martinez, a Red Cross doctor, rummages through his plastic bags looking for the requested box. “ Mainly ibuprofen and paracetamol, and some more specific medications like antihypertensives, migraine medications, anti-inflammatories, and medications for children », he lists.
These are basic medications to alleviate the emergency. “ Pharmacies are blocked because they no longer have a network to read cards [de santé] and a lot of medicines were lost », says the doctor.
Basic care
The Red Cross also offers basic care. “ Treating wounds, certain traumas… and therefore the distribution of medicines to decongest the public health system a little and so that they can devote themselves to more serious things “, he continues.
One of the medications requested by Enrique Fuser is not available. He needs to find another solution. He declines an inhaler. He has some left and knows others might need it.
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