Jovesólides promotes the regularization of over fifty migrants affected by the DANA: many have already received a favorable response from the Government

May 14 marks the deadline to submit applications for the extraordinary process activated after the October 29 flood, which could benefit between 25,000 and 41,000 people.

Jovesólides is processing over seventy cases, mainly involving young people who were left homeless, excluded from the public protection system, and without access to basic rights.

Jovesólides has processed 70 regularization applications for migrants affected by the DANA in the regions of l’Horta Sud and La Ribera. Of these, 25% have already received a favorable resolution from the Government. May 14 is the deadline to access the extraordinary humanitarian process activated after the devastating floods that struck València on October 29, 2024.

Eighty percent of the applications handled by Jovesólides involve young men, aged between 20 and 40, primarily from Morocco and Algeria. There are also cases of families from Venezuela, Colombia, and Peru. All live in municipalities severely impacted by the flooding. A significant number were left homeless, without access to essential services or public aid.

“Administrative regularization will allow these people—formerly in a vulnerable situation without access to basic rights—to start a new stage of inclusion. After losing their homes and jobs, legal recognition will give them access to essential services and social protection. With their administrative situation recognized, they can begin rebuilding their lives with stability and dignity,” explains Karina Almirón, Intervention Coordinator of the e-Spai TIC Network at Jovesólides.

The Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration estimates that at least 25,000 people will be able to benefit from this extraordinary regularization. According to the Government Delegate, Pilar Bernabé, over 22,000 have already received a favorable resolution. Oxfam Intermón estimates that the number of undocumented migrants living in the Valencian municipalities affected by the DANA could reach 41,000.

Administrative obstacles: registration, a barrier

One of the main difficulties in accessing the process has been the requirement to be officially registered (empadronado) in a municipality. Jovesólides, along with other social organizations, has warned that hundreds of people could be excluded from the process because they were unable to register, even though the law guarantees this right.

The short processing window has made it difficult for all those affected by the DANA to apply on time. Social organizations have requested the Ministry to extend the application period to ensure no one is left out of this exceptional regularization process.

Comprehensive support for families and small businesses affected by the flood

Since the emergency began, Jovesólides has supported nearly 300 individuals and families affected by the DANA through social, legal, and direct aid. The organization has provided personalized social support to 194 families; completed over 250 electronic procedures related to the DANA—including access to documentation, scheduling administrative appointments, and submitting public aid applications—and conducted 103 legal assistance sessions. It has also offered courses to promote digital skills and employment workshops to encourage labor reintegration.

In the third phase of the project, already underway, direct aid is being promoted to strengthen small businesses and enterprises located in the DANA ground zero area. The goal is to rebuild the local productive fabric, foster self-employment, and support those excluded from official reconstruction programs due to bureaucratic barriers.

The importance of working in networks: transformative leadership

Collaborative work has been key to the effective response to the DANA emergency in the Valencian Community. Oxfam Intermón has played a leading role, launching an innovative campaign to mobilize essential resources for those affected. Through the ‘Desigualdad Cero’ program, in collaboration with several organizations including Jovesólides, comprehensive support has been provided to the most vulnerable migrants, ensuring access to services and social protection.

The Coordinadora Valenciana de ONGD has also been instrumental in coordinating efforts, bringing together over fifty organizations that have positively impacted the most affected communities. This collective work not only multiplied the response capacity but also enabled faster and more effective action in the face of a large-scale crisis. More information on how the Coordinadora Valenciana de ONGD responded to the emergency can be found in this article.

Casa Marruecos has also been a key organization in this collective response, dedicating its efforts from the outset to supporting affected migrants. Their work has combined direct assistance with a strong advocacy for administrative recognition, playing a crucial role in raising awareness about the situation of those excluded from the protection system.

The DANA València project is led by Jovesólides with funding from Oxfam Intermón’s ‘Desigualdad Cero’ program; the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030 through the Third Sector Platform; and Fundación “la Caixa” as part of the extraordinary ‘DANA 2024 Emergency’ program.

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