Last updated November 25th, 2024
Since the devastating floods that hit southeastern Spain, particularly the province of Valencia, we have continuously mobilized our network of centers across Spain, our European Disaster Relief Hub, and dozens of volunteer employees dedicated to supporting our disaster relief and response efforts. Almost a month after the disaster, we have already donated and transported more than 265,000 essential items from across our FCs to the affected areas, and have leveraged our extensive network of vendors and suppliers, who have also collaborated with the donation of over 20,000 items.
Furthermore, we have completed over 160 donation delivery routes, covering more than 50,000 kilometers. These efforts have facilitated the delivery of over 500,000 items donated by institutions, businesses, and citizens from all over Spain.
Our ability to provide crucial support to those impacted by this natural disaster stems from our logistical expertise and the overwhelming generosity of our partners and the public. A cornerstone of our efforts has been our collaboration with Fundación Altius, which has proven instrumental in amplifying our impact. We continue to actively support the operation and expansion of the temporary disaster relief hub established in Valencia, a facility that plays a vital role in providing aid efforts.
Last updated November 6th, 2024
Amazon and Altius join forces to establish a Temporary Disaster Relief Hub in Valencia in just 48 hours. The facility now serves seven days a week as a crucial hub for receiving and distributing food and essential supplies to other NPOs, neighborhood associations, and local councils in areas of Valencia affected by the floods.
Last updated November 8th, 2024
The collaboration across our operations network in response to the floods remains in full mode. The European Disaster Relief Hub and all sites across Spain continue to provide an agile response to the needs of NPOs and local administrations. So far, our efforts have resulted in the donation and transportation of over 160,000 essential items to the affected areas, including hygiene products, cleaning supplies, food and many other. Since the onset of our response, we've covered more than 15,000 kilometers in transportation routes to ensure these vital supplies reach those in need.
Last updated November 6th, 2024
The facility now serves seven days a week as a crucial hub for receiving and distributing food and essential supplies to other NPOs, neighborhood associations, and local councils in areas of Valencia affected by the floods.
In a rapid response to the recent devastating floods in Valencia, Amazon and Fundación Altius have collaborated to set up a Temporary Disaster Relief Hub in just 48 hours. The facility has already received 25 trucks with 100,000 essential items, and 35 more trucks are expected this week.
Pablo Aledo, General Director at Fundación Altius, highlights the importance of this collaborative effort: “We are thrilled with the overwhelming response to our call for action. We've received trucks from across Spain, and since we are one of the few operational hubs in the area, over 200 volunteers were ready to assist with unloading the trucks as they arrived.”
The 2,000m² warehouse next to the port of Valencia runs thanks to a team of more than 1,500 volunteers and serves as a collection and distribution point of hygiene kits, cleaning supplies, non-perishable food, blankets, sheets, mattresses, and pet food. These are then delivered to other NPOs, neighborhood associations, and local councils in areas of Valencia affected by the floods.
"Amazon has logistical capabilities, inventory, technology and a close relationship with the organisations supporting the community,” said Jorge Gómez Martín, co-lead at Amazon's relief efforts in Valencia. “That's why, when a natural disaster like the one we're seeing here in Valencia occurs, we mobilise quickly to help affected communities."
Amazon's support to those affected by the floods extends beyond the donation of essential items. The company is leveraging its extensive distribution network to provide on-demand logistical assistance to local administrations and NPOs. This includes the strategic collection, shipping, and distribution of donations among various critical points, all in accordance with the specific requests and needs of non-profit organisations.
“Amazon's assistance in setting up the hub has been invaluable. The willingness and participation of people have been constant from the beginning, but being well-organised has multiplied our response capacity by 100." said Santiago Fayos, Director at Fundación Altius in Valencia.
We have a network of 14 permanent disaster relief centres worldwide, including one in Europe, and temporary hubs like this one in Valencia when closer support is needed. "Since 2017, we've supported people affected by more than 170 disasters globally and delivered more than 25 million essential items,” said Agustín Dellagiovanna, co-lead at Amazon's relief efforts in Valencia.
Amazon mobilises comprehensive Disaster Relief efforts, with initial donations of over 80,000 essential items and logistical support to NPOs and local administrations, covering routes of over 6,500 km to date.
Last updated November 4th, 2024
In the wake of the devastating DANA (Isolated High-Level Depression) that struck south-eastern Spain, especially the Valencia province, we have swiftly mobilised our resources to support non-profit organisations (NPOs) such as the Spanish Red Cross, Altius Foundation, and Caritas, as well as public administrations in the Madrid and Valencia regions, in providing aid to those affected by the floods.
"The loss of life and massive destruction is heartbreaking, and the need for immediate aid and support can’t be understated," said Alice Shobe, Global Director of Amazon Community Impact. "Amazon is closely collaborating with trusted partners to rapidly activate our disaster response and deliver critical resources to families in need, as quickly as possible. My thoughts are with the communities as they rebuild and recover.”
Immediate mobilisation of critical resources
In response to the event and our partners' needs, we activated our European Disaster Relief Hub, mobilising hundreds of pre-positioned items, including blankets and hygiene kits. Simultaneously, we have harnessed the full potential of our extensive operations network spanning across Spain. Our fulfilment centres in Madrid, Illescas (Toledo), Barcelona, Zaragoza, El Far d’Empordà (Girona), Siero (Oviedo), Onda (Castellón), Murcia, and Dos Hermanas (Sevilla) have been essential in donating and delivering thousands of crucial supplies - including water, shovels, baskets, diapers, canned food, pet food, and cleaning kits. Our initial efforts include the donation of over 80,000 essential items, with the majority delivered to partners within 72 hours.
Tailored logistical support for local administrations and NPOs
Our support extends beyond the provision of supplies, and we are leveraging our network capabilities to offer on-demand logistical assistance to local administrations and NPOs. This includes the collection, shipping and strategic distribution of donations between various critical points, all in accordance with the specific requests and needs of our partners. We have fully dedicated approximately 30 trucks for middle mile transportation and ten vans for last mile delivery to support relief efforts, covering routes of over 6,500 km to date.
Rallying community support
Amazon customers and employees who would like to continue to directly contribute to established humanitarian organisations with a proven track record of quickly providing essential services on the ground can do so through cash donations to our partner NPOs. Every dollar contributed will help deliver critical supplies, temporary shelter, medical care, and other emergency assistance to those most in need.
Prioritising employee and partner safety
The well-being of our employees remains our top priority. As a precautionary measure, our facilities in the affected area and surroundings remain closed. We continue to provide necessary logistical and psychological assistance to our employees through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and other available support.
Last updated October 31st, 2024
Amazon activates Disaster Relief and Response and assesses needs with local partners
Southern and eastern Spain have been devastated by severe flooding after the passage of a DANA (isolated high-level depression), which has left dozens dead, missing, or affected by a trail of destruction in its wake, especially in the province of Valencia. Amazon is mobilising resources to support impacted communities across the region. Amazon's Disaster Relief & Response team is working closely with local emergency management officials and humanitarian organisations, including the Spanish Red Cross, to assess needs and aid response efforts.
“During this difficult time, Amazon stands in solidarity with those impacted by the catastrophic floods across Spain. Our thoughts are with those who have lost their lives and their families, and we are committed to supporting communities in need across the region,” said Mariangela Marseglia, VP and country Manager for Amazon in Spain, Italy and Portugal. “We are immensely grateful for the tireless efforts of the first responders, emergency personnel, and volunteers supporting relief and recovery efforts and encourage everyone to prioritize safety and follow guidance from local emergency officials.”
Amazon's logistics infrastructure, inventory, and technology will allow us to expedite assistance in crisis areas across impacted communities. We have activated Amazon's European Disaster Relief Hub and will utilise our national fulfilment network to rapidly deliver critical supplies. Located in Germany and launched earlier this year, this Hub is the first of its kind in Europe and allows Amazon to quickly deliver humanitarian aid within 72 hours to affected regions. The Hub is stocked with over 1,000 pallets of pre-positioned relief supplies, which can be promptly shipped to international aid partners throughout Europe.
Prioritising employee and partner safety
Public safety remains our top priority, and we have temporarily closed some facilities in the hardest-hit areas to ensure the wellbeing of our employees and partners. We are working to provide temporary housing accommodation options, meals and medical assistance as needed, and taking necessary precautions to ensure employees remain safe and are informed of available resources.
Minimising customer disruptions
With parts of Amazon's operations network temporarily impacted by the flooding and damage to roads and other infrastructure, there may be some impacts to customers in the region. We will leverage Amazon's vast fulfilment network to continue processing customer orders from sites outside impacted regions.
Our teams are closely monitoring the situation and making adjustments to provide customers with accurate delivery estimates as conditions evolve. Customers with orders in the impacted areas may see updated delivery times reflecting any potential delays, and are encouraged to contact our 24/7 Customer Service teams for additional further assistance.
Aiding communities impacted by national disasters
Amazon now operates 14 Disaster Relief Hubs globally. Since 2017, Amazon has donated over 25 million relief items to support more than 170 disasters worldwide. In just the last 24 months, we have responded to natural disasters across the world, including recent flooding across Central and Eastern Europe, wildfires in Chile, Colombia, Australia and Hawaii, earthquakes in Japan, Türkiye, Syria, and Morocco, and hurricanes and cyclones in Puerto Rico, Florida, and India.
This marks only the beginning of Amazon's relief efforts for the floods in Spain. Additional updates will be provided here as our response evolves. Learn more about Amazon's Disaster Relief and Response efforts.
Amazon customers in Spain already have the option of donating to the Spanish Red Cross to support flood-impacted areas via a donation campaign set up on amazon.es here.
