Between October 29 and 30, 2024, an isolated upper-level depression (commonly referred to as a DANA) left a devastating trail across several communities in Spain, particularly in the regions of Valencia, Castilla-La Mancha, and Andalucía. This powerful system unleashed torrential rain that transformed streets into violent rivers in a matter of minutes; the sudden flooding overwhelmed riverbeds and drainage systems, swept away cars, flooded homes, and trapped families as emergency crews carried out hundreds of rescues through the night.

More than 400,000 people were affected, facing evacuations, power outages, and widespread destruction, while the tragic loss of over 200 lives made this DANA one of the deadliest weather disasters in Spain’s recent history.

In order to provide aid and relief to those affected by DANA, the Spanish Red Cross launched a multifaceted response strategy aimed at helping 75,000 family units affected by the devastation. The plan has three phases:

• Immediate response phase: Coverage of basic needs (food, water shelter, hygeine and healthcare), restoring supply chains, search & rescue, supporting emotional wellbeing of survivors and responders, and restoring the habitability of homes and public services;
• Recovery phase: Restoration of livelihoods and transitional coverage of basic needs and support for vulnerable groups;
• Strengthening and resilience phase: Social wellbeing, community reactivation, and strengthening community capacities to respond to future crises. 

Overall support for this reponse plan helps to ensure that those effected by DANA can rebuild their lives with dignity in the aftermath of the destruction.