🧗 Valencia: A Tale of Hope and Heartache
OIJ (#18) Our take on the devastating natural disaster affecting the region of Valencia
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Our investing journey is often defined by the choices we make (and those we don’t) in our daily lives. While personal finances are undoubtedly important, what truly matters is why we commit ourselves to our work, our families, and the people we love.
The recent natural disaster in Valencia is a powerful reminder of this, as the time we spent helping those in need reveals the deeper purpose that drives us: the instinct to support, uplift, and stand together when it matters most.
For context
In late October 2024, the Valencia region experienced a catastrophic weather event known as a DANA (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos), leading to unprecedented rainfall and severe flooding. Within just eight hours, areas like Chiva received over a year's worth of rain, resulting in widespread devastation.
The recent catastrophic DANA that struck Valencia has left a profound (and literal) mark on the region and its people. The relentless floodwaters rose up in the streets to 3 meters (10 feet), submerging entire ground floors in towns like Chiva, Paiporta, Catarroja, Aldaia, Picanya, Massanassa, and Sedaví.
For the 132,288 residents of these communities, life has been irrevocably altered. Homes were destroyed, streets transformed into waterways, and cherished memories washed away, leaving behind a landscape forever changed and a population grappling with the weight of loss and the challenge of rebuilding everything from scratch.
The floods have brought unimaginable loss and sorrow to the region, claiming at least 213 precious lives and leaving nearly 2,000 souls unaccounted for. Each number represents a story cut short, families torn apart, and communities shrouded in grief.
The damage is not just measured in numbers but in shattered lives and dreams. Homes, once safe havens filled with laughter and memories, now stand submerged and ruined. Vehicles lie scattered and abandoned, silent witnesses to the chaos that unfolded. Roads and networks that once connected people now lie fractured, adding another layer of hardship to an already staggering tragedy. The heart of Valencia beats with resilience, but it beats through pain, searching for the strength to endure and rebuild.
In the aftermath, Valencia and the entire nation come together, pausing to mourn and remember. Streets once filled with life now echo with quiet memories of what was lost. Families cling to each other, searching for hope and strength amidst the heartbreak. The silence holds the weight of grief, but also the warmth of unity.
Neighbors become lifelines, reaching out, holding on, finding comfort in shared sorrow. They gather not just to rebuild homes but to heal hearts, to honor those gone, and to support those left behind. In this shared pain, citizens and volunteers find resilience and hope, standing together, unbreakable in their shared humanity.
The People’s Response
This entire post comes from a place of deep empathy and a heart heavy with what I witnessed. I could tell you about the hundreds of buckets of filth and mud I packed and carried, each one a weight not just in my arms but on my soul.
I could describe the stench of death that seeped from the garages, an odor so suffocating that it seemed to claw at the air itself. I could talk about the billions lost in damages, homes, and dreams washed away in an instant.
But more than that, what stays with me, what haunts me in the quiet moments, is the look in the eyes of the elderly - tears streaming silently down their lined faces, reflecting a lifetime of memories turned to ruin. The desperation in their gaze, a raw, aching plea for hope amidst the chaos, is something I will never forget.
It was a kind of helplessness that no words can truly capture, and it cuts deeper than any loss of property ever could. This post is for them, for every soul holding on when everything around them is falling apart. This is dedicated to these freaking incredible people who restored our faith in humanity.
Although formal organization was lacking, the spontaneous outpouring of support from people was overwhelming and deeply moving. This makeshift "Starbucks" is a perfect example of the community’s raw, unscripted humanity in action.
Food, clothing, sanitary supplies, medicine, tools - everything that those living and working on-site needed seemed to appear as if by miracle. The generosity was tangible and contagious, almost like an embrace that kept everyone going.
Strangers became friends, united by a common purpose, and the sight of people from all corners of the globe - yes, even those who traveled from faraway places - joining in to clear debris and mud was both humbling and inspiring.
It was a testament to the boundless kindness that surfaces in the darkest of times, a reminder that amidst unimaginable loss, there is still so much hope to be found in the human spirit.
The gratitude of the locals was truly overwhelming. We were met with heartfelt praise, endless offers of food (and plenty of sweets 😊), and an unwavering willingness to work side by side through the physically exhausting tasks.
Shoulder-to-shoulder, we labored like brothers, bound by a shared determination and the profound bond that forms in the face of hardship. When I look back at some of the messages left by the victims of the disaster, I can’t help but get emotional.
The message reads (with some improv on my end):
Thank you! One day, I'll be able to tell my children that this town was filled with superheroes - armed (not with capes, but) with shovels and brushes.
The Government’s Response
Thousands of military troops, emergency responders, and volunteers are now working tirelessly, pouring their hearts into aiding those affected by this tragedy. Their courage and dedication shine through the darkest days, a testament to the resilience and compassion of those on the front lines. To each one of them - thank you. Your sacrifices are seen and deeply valued.
Yet, there is a hard truth that must be faced. Despite the heroic efforts of these individuals, the response from the authorities has been deeply flawed. It’s not about politics here, but about humanity - and what we have witnessed is a staggering level of incompetence across the board.
From local to national leaders, spanning every part of the political spectrum (left, right, and center), the delay and neglect in responding to the disaster have been appalling.
The fact that it took four to five days to coordinate a meaningful response is beyond disheartening; it is a failure that will likely result in hundreds, possibly thousands, of preventable deaths and injuries.
Even more shameful is seeing those in power use this disaster as a stage for political posturing. In a time that should be defined by unity and action, their gamesmanship is a betrayal to all those suffering and those fighting to save lives. This is a moment that calls for empathy, swift action, and unwavering support - not self-serving agendas.
We are deeply disheartened by those in power who are using this tragedy as an opportunity for political gain.
We’ll insist: It is a time that demands compassion and decisive action, not self-serving agendas.
Adding to the frustration, El País published images of President Pedro Sánchez being evacuated from Paiporta. These images starkly contrast the dire circumstances faced by the thousands who are still struggling, emphasizing the gap between leadership and the reality on the ground.
It is moments like these that reveal the true priorities of those in charge, and it is profoundly disappointing.
The media narrative paints this crisis as orchestrated by far-right groups, but the reality on the ground tells a much more harrowing story.
We’ve spoken to hundreds of people who lived through it. The frustration was palpable. The aid that should have been there was nowhere in sight for days.
These are the people who watched as only select streets were hastily cleared before politicians arrived for their photo ops, while their own homes and livelihoods remained buried under mud and debris.
These were the people who received warning messages hours after the river had already surged through, leaving destruction in its wake, too late to save what little they could.
These are the same people sifting through the wreckage of their lives, pulling out soaked photographs and cherished memories from the mud-caked remains of their garages, homes, and businesses.
Their tears and anger are proof of a betrayal that cuts deep - a system that should have protected them but instead showed up when it was already too late.
Our take
To be honest, we worked our hearts out.
It took us six long hours to get there. We packed the car with anything and everything we thought might help, determined to contribute in whatever way we could. While we took a few moments to catch our breath, the work stretched from dawn to dusk, relentless but fueled by purpose.
We moved throughout the city, helping strangers wherever they needed it. We swept out stores, offered comfort to small business owners who were on the brink of despair, and shoveled mud and waste until our muscles ached.
We hauled out furniture that once held memories but was now reduced to waterlogged remnants. The days were long, the work exhausting, but the resilience and gratitude we saw kept us going.
Amidst the hard work, there were moments of light where people gathered together to share a piece of fruit, a small sandwich, or simply to catch their breath after hours spent working underground.
These brief pauses were filled with camaraderie and quiet gratitude, reminding us why we were there. By the end of each day, we were met with warm smiles and reassuring pats on the back: small gestures that spoke volumes about resilience, hope, and the unbreakable bond that forms when people come together for a greater cause.
On Saturday we were welcomed by a complete stranger, someone we met while tirelessly working to clean up one of the devastated areas. This person, who owed us nothing, opened his heart and home with a level of generosity that would humble even the likes of Gandhi.
Rafa (and his family’s) gratitude for our efforts and our spirit was palpable, and the warmth he shared left an imprint on our souls. We left his home with full bellies, well-rested after a night spent sleeping in the car just the day before, and memories filled with laughter and genuine joy.
In that moment, amidst the chaos and heartbreak, we found a friendship that will last forever.
Rafa’s brother's business was hit hard by the flood and suffered devastating losses. If you’d like to support them in rebuilding and moving forward, here’s a link to their GoFundMe campaign. Any help, big or small, would mean the world to them during this challenging time.
At The Hermit, we’re committing all of our November subscription income to support relief efforts related to this devastating event.
We also want to encourage everyone to consider volunteering - there’s still months of hard work ahead to help families rebuild their lives and regain a sense of normalcy.
Your time and support can make a world of difference.
All the credit for the powerful images you just saw goes to my friends, both old and new, who dedicated their time and effort to capturing the moments of pain and hope on the streets of Paiporta.
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Enorme Alejandro!! El pueblo salva al pueblo