However, in addition to facing the devastation on the ground, organizations also had to confront a parallel storm: disinformation. From the earliest days of the emergency, false information and rumours spread widely, casting doubt on their work and generating confusion.

Data in context: the real scope of the response

The Spanish Association of Fundraising (AEFr) notes that in times of high emotional impact, it’s easy to turn to simplified explanations for complex situations, but that information needs context in order to be truly useful and truthful.

It has compiled a set of key data in an infographic that reflects the coordinated humanitarian effort carried out by NGOs during the emergency. This analysis required meticulous work and highlights the solidarity demonstrated by these organizations at the most critical moments.

The figures presented are based on data collected up to February 1, 2025, and were provided by AEFr member organizations. While not all activity is captured—especially that of local entities—the numbers reflect the scale of an unprecedented mobilization.

An unprecedented response

• Over 322,000 people received humanitarian assistance in the first few weeks.
• 75,000 families were supported with essential resources.
• More than 160,000 food kits and 40,000 hygiene kits were distributed.
• 5,000 kg of medical supplies were delivered, along with blankets, beds, mattresses, household appliances, and furniture.
• 28 shelters were set up in 21 municipalities, providing refuge to 953 people who had lost their homes.

The power of volunteers and logistics

• Over 9,000 volunteers and 500 trained professionals were deployed on the ground.
• 400 rescue and relief teams were mobilized.
• More than 60 logistics hubs were activated to coordinate aid distribution.
• 48 trucks, 20 mud-clearing vehicles, 19 water pumps, and 14 ambulances were used to ensure a rapid and effective response.

The obstacle of disinformation

The emergency brought not only destruction but also a wave of misleading claims and hoaxes aimed at discrediting NGOs and undermining trust – right when help was most urgently needed. Disinformation slowed down the response, created confusion among potential donors, and jeopardized fundraising efforts at a critical time.

The Spanish Fundraising Association notes that these false narratives “not only disrupted field operations but also undermined public trust, weakening social solidarity in one of the most delicate phases of the crisis.”

Ongoing reconstruction: a long-term commitment

The actions described here belong to Phase 1 of the emergency response, focused on meeting the most urgent needs. But, the association adds, the work of NGOs is far from over: “Today, long-term recovery programs are being implemented – vital for rebuilding communities and restoring lives.

“Solidarity doesn’t end when the headlines fade. It takes the shape of long-term support, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. And for that work to continue, trust in NGOs is more essential than ever.”

Main picture by Victor Moragriega on Pexels

This is according to the EFA member Deutscher Fundraising Verband (DFRV), and the museum of modern ahrts, an organisation created as a memorial for the disaster in the Ahr Valley, which caused nearly 200 deaths in the country.

The two organisations have written a joint letter to German finance minister Christian Lindner, which was handed to his advisers at an event in June.

The letter points out that climate change means such disasters may be more common in future, making it important that civil society and financial laws are able to respond quickly and effectively.

It also reiterates three requests already made by DFRV last year, on the first anniversary of the flood.

They are:

• an amendment of tax regulations to enable emergency and disaster aid work to be classified as a nonprofit activity, regardless of whether it is organised by a registered charity.
• a wider modernisation of nonprofit law, to reduce bureaucracy & increase support for the sector.
• greater cooperation between organisations responding to a crisis, as well as more transparency and consultation with state sponsors and insurance companies.

The letter notes that this reform to the tax code has already been set out as a plan in the Government’s coalition agreement.

Daniel Koller of the museum of modern ahrts told news website Focus Online:

“We urgently need this disaster-proof reform now. Past disasters, such as the flood in the Ahr Valley, have proven clearly that the current legal regulation of donations in the event of a disaster is not sufficient.”

The letter also invited Lindner to visit the memorial, and talk to those affected by the floods.

Martin Georgi, chair of DFRV, told Focus Online that the fundraising sector had been aware of this problem since 2002, when the Elbe and Vltava rivers flooded, also causing more than 200 deaths in Central Europe. It also raised awareness of the issue at the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

 Picture by Max Gerlach via Flickr, used under Creative Commons