The Community of Madrid has activated five mobile teams of psychologists to assist the 99 residents of Navalagamella housed in the José Caballero sports centre in Alcobendas.
The Alcobendas City Council has launched a psychological support service since Monday for the 99 residents of Navalagamella who remain evacuated in the Amaya Valdemoro pavilion of the José Caballero sports centre. The initiative, coordinated with the Community of Madrid, aims to mitigate the emotional impact of the uncertainty regarding the state of their homes after the forest fire affecting the southwest of the region.
The Deputy Minister of Presidency and Local Administration, José Antonio Sánchez Serrano, visited the facilities to supervise the operation. “We have incorporated psychological support for those affected due to the level of uncertainty they have, not knowing what they have left behind or if the fire may have affected their homes,” he explained.
The five mobile teams also include informants who advise the victims on the necessary procedures to apply for available aid. The operation, which will continue throughout the national emergency, has been deployed in 18 sports centres across 16 municipalities in Madrid, accommodating more than 2,500 people.
At the José Caballero sports centre, the 99 evacuees are assisted by 50 Civil Protection volunteers working in various shifts, in addition to Local Police officers. Among them are 17 children and four people with reduced mobility. During the day, medication renewal was processed for about 25 people, and one patient requiring dialysis was attended to.
The group includes 30 people of Muslim origin, who receive donated halal food. A space has also been set up for the evacuees' pets: eight dogs, three cats, and one rabbit. The youngest participate in entertainment activities with monitors from the sports centre and enjoyed bouncy castles over the weekend.
The operation provides accommodation, food, healthcare, social support, and continuous companionship. The Community of Madrid has emphasized its commitment to maintaining collaboration with the affected municipalities for the duration of the emergency.
For the residents of Alcobendas, welcoming the evacuees from Navalagamella represents a gesture of neighbourly solidarity. The City Council has reminded that the José Caballero sports centre is prepared to accommodate more people if necessary, and that any citizen wishing to help can contact Civil Protection.
The forest fires in the southwest of Madrid have forced the evacuation of thousands of people in recent days. The authorities' priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of the affected, while firefighting teams work to control the flames.
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