ARCHIVED - Community spirit of all nationalities supporting Los Alcázares clean-up

On Saturday youth volunteers are needed for a big clean-up

Although the problems caused by the heavy rains of last weekend have practically disappeared from the front pages, a massive clean-up still continues in the Los Alcázares municipality, with all nationalities pitching together to restore order in the town.

Volunteers from communities all around the Mar Menor have been helping to clean up, both in the streets and public areas, as well as in the homes of private individuals affected by the floods.

Social media is full of warm praise for the volunteers of all nationalities who have turned up to lend a hand, cleaning parties organised from the central town hall where volunteers are allocated a task and sent off to help where help is most needed.

Volunteers who have participated have commented that although gloves are provided, it’s highly advisable to take your own, particularly if you have a squeezy mop or the type of floor mop with a long flat head on, perfect for scooping up the mud and water and advised that gloves are absolutely essential as there are all sorts of unpleasant surprises lurking in the mud.

The council has advised that anyone wishing to help with the clean-up should advise when they are available to help so that they can allocate work parties where they are needed. The volunteers office is on the ground floor of the town hall and is open from 08:00 to 20:00. There are two phone numbers: Phone 667 767 220 and 647 619 633.

On Saturday a big effort is being made to call young people to go along to Los Alcázares and help with the clean-up, organised in collaboration with the youth department of the council and other councils throughout the region.

Participants will be provided gloves, brooms etc, as well as a breakfast kit, although volunteers are asked to wear practical clothing and footwear and bring some drinking water.

Cleaning materials are also needed at the moment and can be left at the town hall.

The volunteers office have said that at the moment there is no further need for donations of dried foodstuffs, water or baby materials as sufficient quantities have been donated by local businesses and private individuals. They have indicated that once homes have dried out and been cleaned, there will be a need for clean furniture and electrical goods to help those without insurance recover from their losses, but they will specifically request donations once this point has been reached, and for the moment, would prefer that residents don´t arrive at the town hall with this type of donation.

Anyone who would like to participate in the young people’s clean-up should pre-register by  emailing: corresponsales-juv@carm.es; or calling 626 451888, 968-357267, 968-357310.

The meeting point is the volunteer’s office in in the town hall at 09:30.

Other councils are also sending in their municipal services, Alcantarilla being the latest to contribute a cleaning crew, Murcia has sent in municipal services and youth volunteers and Cartagena has also sent in a team from its fire service to participate, but there is still a considerable amount of work to be done.

3,000 houses and 100 businesses have been affected by the floods and require cleaning, as well as many public areas.

There is a great deal of contrasting information circulating via social networks about various aspects of the situation in the municipality.

Markets

The council originally indicated that all markets in the municipality would be suspended until after the festive holidays, but they are now indicating that the markets will go ahead as normal on the 24^th and 27th December. Should that change, notification will be posted on local social media.

Water supply

Bottled water is available at the town hall, but the council advise that the water is not cut off in the municipality at the moment although tap water should not be consumed. Hidrogea are cleaning pipes in Torre Pacheco and San Javier, San Pedro del Pinatar and La Manga. For the moment it is not advisable to drink tap water in any of these municipalities until the all-clear is given. At the moment, no all-clear warning has been issued.

A great deal of work still remains to be done and although the streets are now being cleared and washed down, the council is still warning that it is not advisable to use two wheeled vehicles in the area worst affected as there have been a number of accidents during the last few days.

Photographs and additional info: Many thanks to Deborah Burnham and Christine Birkett