Blanquerna stands with those affected by the DANA flooding

• Update of the situation caused by the DANA - Tuesday 5 November at 8am

The academic and teaching activity is already going on normally today.

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We in the Blanquerna-Universitat Ramon Llull university community, deeply shaken and moved by the news of the tragic flooding of the last few days, especially in the autonomous communities of Valencia, Castilla–La Mancha and Andalusia, wish to express our support for the people of those regions and, in particular, for all of the Blanquerna students, alumni, faculty and staff members who have been affected by these catastrophic events. We want to communicate our solidarity, support and sympathy to all of them.In light of the above, we are opening up the following exceptional channels of collaboration and assistance:

A) We at Blanquerna, through our team responsible for managing Solidarity-based action (in the framework of the Càtedra Blanquerna), want to inform you that:

1. Anyone interested in volunteering to offer direct support on the ground should contact the university’s Agenda 2030 offices or one of the Solidarity Action offices at each of our three Schools. This is important given the evident difficulties involved in coordinating these efforts from Catalonia at this time, but we will be offering regular updates and proposals for those wishing to help.

2. However, we do encourage you to start now to offer economic help to those affected through the following institutions, with which we have collaboration agreements:

   - Càritas. Bizum to 00089.

   - Red Cross. Bizum to 33512.

   - Banc dels Aliments. Bizum to 08305.

B) Any students who have been directly affected and who need to let us know about their personal situations or individual needs, especially with regard to tuition payments, can do so via the email address [email protected]. At Blanquerna, we are committed to doing all we can and will consider offering assistance if necessary to ensure those affected can continue their studies with as little disruption as possible. Additionally, any faculty or staff member who has been affected can write to us at the same address or via the usual channels.

C) Those affected by the tragedy who may also need psychological or social support can seek it out at any of the Blanquerna campuses by calling our Personal Guidance Service at 93 253 30 06 or via the email address [email protected]. The priority in the coming days will be on attending these cases, and online support will be available if necessary.

D) On Monday, November 4, we ask you to join us for a moment of silence at the main entrances to each of our Schools, at 12:00 and at 6:00 pm, to honor the victims and their families.

E) We also invite you to take part in the Eucharist service scheduled for this Wednesday, November 6, in support of those who have died or disappeared and all others affected by these floods. The services will be held on Wednesday at 1pm at the FCS, at 2:10 pm at the FPCEE and at 2:15 pm at the FCRI.

—→Finally, an urgent update:

The weather forecast, according to the INUNCAT plan, calls for “torrential downpours on Sunday night and into Monday morning, from midnight Sunday night until 2 pm on Monday, in the districts of Montsià, Baix Ebre, Terra Alta, Ribera de l’Ebre, Tarragonès, Priorat, Baix Camp, Alt Camp, Baix Penedès”. The Generalitat de Catalunya has asked that people refrain from leaving their homes in these areas unless it is absolutely necessary. In light of this, we would ask that the members of the Blanquerna community who live in these areas, or in any other areas for which the office of Civil Protection may issue additional warnings, avoid traveling to our campuses on Monday November 4. It goes without saying that students who are unable to attend class for this reason will not suffer academically in any way as a result.

We will continue to update the Blanquerna community on the latest information and the initiatives that are being taken. Thanks to all of you for your understanding, solidarity and willingness to help. We are proud of this, despite the pain we feel these days in the face of these events, of great importance to us all.