The floods that hit Alcácer do Sal caused serious damage to families in the region, destroying equipment and belongings in their homes. Help to the affected populations was not limited to the emergency days, extending over time with concrete actions to support the recovery of homes.
Mafalda Panoias was part of the volunteer group called "As Queridas," which developed close work with the affected families. Her journey in this volunteer group was recently recalled on the VÄLIDO Talks podcast, where she shared the experience lived during and after the tragedy.
The work developed by the "As Queridas" group included door-to-door visits to affected homes and the delivery of material goods intended to re-equip the families' houses. This action highlighted the importance of organized volunteering and community solidarity in responding to catastrophe situations.
Mafalda Panoias emphasized that her work was never done in isolation, underscoring the importance of collaboration and joint effort. The experience demonstrates how prolonged humanitarian response is fundamental to helping communities rebuild their lives after extreme weather events.
