Chloe Glover (Reporter)
AN ARMY of volunteers are desperately needed to help families left devastated by the floods.
Kind-hearted businesses are also needed to do their bit for those living in stricken areas such as Coin, Cartama and Fuengirola, whose homes were ruined in the recent deadly Malaga region deluges.
Up to 300 litres of rain per square metre fell in just 73 hours from December 2 to 4, leaving two people dead and causing millions of euros of damage.
The call to action has been made by a group of British expats who came together on the Help The Homeless And Flood Victims Costa Del Sol Facebook page.
They have been working day and night in the clear up but are struggling to cope with the scale of the clean up on their own.
“We need as many people as possible because the local councils are not doing enough”, said flood volunteer Jackie Quick-Rice, who lives in Alhaurin el Grande.
“No one can actually understand the extent of the devastation unless they come here”, she said.
“I got involved when my friend asked me to help clear out the house of her friend and only then realised how many people’s lives had been turned upside down.
“What we need foremost is people who can help clean out the houses.
“We are still finding people living in homes that are still full of mud and water because they have nowhere else to go. I found an old man who was sleeping on the floor of his ruined home- it’s awful.
“We have been clearing the houses up as best we can so that people who have to continue to live in them can feel as comfortable as possible.
“We have to help because there is no one else.”
Jackie, 56, urged businesses to also come forward.
“We need all kinds of companies”, she said.
“Those who can donate household items, furniture and new kitchen units and people who can fix electricity and water because some people do not have insurance.”
Anyone who can spare time to help should ring Jackie on 60312 2596.
A fundraising appeal has also been set up for those unable to donate their time or services.
People can make a donation by clicking here.
