ASSISTANCE TO FLOOD VICTIMS IN FAENZA

Italy - EMILIA ROMAGNA

Faenza is among the municipalities in Emilia Romagna that was hardest hit by the floods that swept through the northern Italian region in mid-May 2023: an environmental and climatic emergency that affected 22,000 people, left 4,000 people displaced, and caused post-traumatic stress and poor mental health among many who had lost everything. Even today, months after the flooding, the physical and emotional impact of having to rebuild one’s daily life remains strong. EMERGENCY is present in the area to provide socio-psychological and administrative support to the affected community.

Our Intervention

EMERGENCY’s psychological and social support project for flood victims in Faenza is the second phase of our post-flood intervention.

One of our teams is mapping the needs of citizens in the area, while providing psycho-social assistance and directing those in need to the active services in the area.

Accepting the traumas that followed the flood and standing by those who now need to preserve their mental health is indispensable to allow people struggling with loneliness, the elderly, the young, and entire families to get back on their feet.

In collaboration with the Faenza Health Authorities (Distretto Sanitario) and Municipality (Comune di Faenza), we conduct in-person and remote psychotherapy sessions and support people in accessing public services to which they are entitled, such as housing allocations for those who have lost their homes, subsidies, or aid available for those in situations of socio-economic difficulty.

"The people we meet speak about the difficulties of adapting to their current situations, such as the prolonged impossibility of returning home, as well as uncertainty about the future. But the desire to rebuild is strong."

Giovanna Bianco, Psychologist and Project Coordinator

Information and contacts

EMERGENCY’s team in Faenza consists of a psychologist and a social worker.

The psycho-social assistance service is available free of charge in the Faenza area at the AUSL Outpatient Clinic on via Zaccagnini 22, Monday to Friday from 3pm to 6pm (by appointment).

For information please send an e-mail to: cpfaenza@emergency.it
To make an appointment, please call: +39 335 8336483

Our intervention on the ground in the first phase of the emergency

Following the floods in Emilia Romagna in May 2023, we immediately took action. At the request of the Municipality of Faenza and in agreement with local institutions, we intervened in the city from the very first days to:

  • manage the collection and distribution of donated goods (basic necessities and technical equipment) for the families affected by the floods and to coordinate the volunteers who arrived to help the local population. From 21 May to 13 June, the logistics hub managed by EMERGENCY was the single collection and distribution centre for the aid donated for the local population by companies and individuals, supporting over 2,000 households. (21 May – 13 June)
  • coordinate the volunteers who rushed to help the local population, through our Infopoint. Thanks to their efforts, it was possible to carry out 4,000 clearing and cleaning operations. (25 May – 25 June)
  • door-to-door distribution of household goods and personal hygiene products in all the municipalities of Faenza and Bassa Romagna with the support of EMERGENCY’s vans. (21 May – 30 June)