From abandonment to gratitude

The lack of food, accommodation, electricity, or healthcare during the first few days following the DANA on 29 October 2024 heightened the sense of abandonment amongst those affected. As the recovery progressed, these needs gradually diminished. In contrast, others took on greater importance, such as administrative and legal assistance and the availability of professionals to repair homes. These are some of the main conclusions of a study by the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) based on a survey of 300 people directly affected by the flood.

The study, carried out by Mar Adsuara-Fayos, Gema Ventura-Navarro and Tomás Baviera of the UPV, has been published in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, a journal specialising in disaster risk management and reduction. The research analyses how the needs of those affected changed from the first 24 hours up to three months after the disaster, and how these needs were linked to their perception of abandonment.

In 23 municipalities

The survey was carried out seven months after the DANA, between May and June 2025, amongst people from 23 municipalities in the disaster zone who had suffered material losses in their homes. The study analysed four main areas: basic needs, practical support, emotional and social support, and essential household utilities, including electricity, water, gas, sanitation and telecommunications. This latter area represented a new classification within the academic field of disaster management. It was incorporated into the survey, yielding very revealing results.

The study found that shortages were particularly acute during the first week. The most critical period in terms of the lack of necessities occurred 72 hours after the disaster, mainly due to shortages of food, temporary accommodation, healthcare, and electricity. "Later, difficulties in accessing legal and administrative assistance became more significant," notes Tomás Baviera, Professor of Marketing at the UPV.

One of the most significant findings is that the disruption to services such as electricity and telecommunications was not perceived solely as a material problem. "For many people, it also brought about a sense of vulnerability, uncertainty and isolation," adds Baviera.

From abandonment to gratitude

In addition to quantifying how needs changed in the wake of the DANA, the study captures how those affected experienced the disaster. To this end, 172 participants answered an open-ended question in which they explained in their own words how they had felt. "Two very clear emotions emerged from these responses: on the one hand, loneliness, helplessness and a sense of abandonment; on the other, a deep sense of gratitude towards those who came to help, particularly volunteers, NGOs, private organisations, family members and friends," explains Mar Adsuara-Fayos, a Business Administration undergraduate at the time the study was conducted and a research assistant in the Economics and Social Sciences Department.

The study also outlines various improvements for future disasters, such as strengthening communication and coordination between public authorities and better integrating volunteers and social organisations into response mechanisms. "This can help prevent what the literature refers to as a 'second disaster': the added suffering caused by a slow recovery, administrative hurdles or the feeling of not receiving the necessary support," adds Gema Ventura-Navarro, who has completed the Master's in Industrial Engineering at the UPV this academic year.

Originating from the Emplea UPV programme

This work originated from the Emplea Programme, an initiative launched by the UPV's Career and Employment Service to boost female leadership within organisations. Participants receive specific training and apply it to a real-life case study, with support from professional mentors. For the two students who authored the paper, their Emplea project focused on improving the management of assistance to disaster victims. "As a result of their interest and commitment, the idea arose to gain a better understanding of how the beneficiaries of this aid perceived the support through a survey. This data formed the basis of the study that has now been released in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction," concludes Tomás Baviera.

Reference:

Adsuara-Fayos, M.; Ventura-Navarro, G.; Baviera, T. From abandonment to gratitude: Unmet needs and perceived support after the 2024 Valencia DANA flash flood. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 143 (2026), 106314. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdrr.2026.106314.