The tourist accommodation complex on Playa San Cristóbal might finally reopen, after years of political wrangling, for the use of Ukrainian refugees.
The Chairman of the Provincial Council for Granada, José Entrena, announced yesterday that together with the Turismo Tropical in Almuñécar, the Ciudad Deportiva in Armilla will be used as temporary shelter for refugees from the war taking place between Ukraine and Russia.
Sr Entrana was accompanied when he made this announcement by the Councillor for Social Welfare, Olvido de la Rosa, the Chairwoman for the Spanish Red Cross, Eugenia Rodríguez-Bailón and the Provincial Coordinator Cruz Roja, as well.
He explained, “It is essential that help be coordinated so that it reaches effectively those who need it,” adding, “We have to do this with our heads as well as with our hearts because our capacity to receive, store and manage donations is limited.”
Consequently he has called on the inhabitants of the province to help the Provincial Council aid the refugees. He also said that he had given instructions to the mayors of municipalities within the province of Granada so that the actions they take will be in line with the official stance so that donations reach the NGOs that are working in Ukraine or its neighbouring countries.
The Provincial Chairman emphasised that during these initial moments of the emergency the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional al Desarrollo (AECID) advises against donations in kind; food stuffs etc, so as not to swamp the logistic capacity of the humanitarian organisations working there.
He says that the Agencia Española de Cooperación and the Agencia Andaluza recommend that aid be channelled through organisations working in the field there.
As for the individual efforts to transport food and clothes (there have been many people doing this, using vans and small lorries) the NGO Coordinator for Granada points out that “sometimes what is sent is not what is needed, as what is really needed are other things.” For this reason financial aid is more effective because it can be used to purchase exactly what is needed.
The Cruz Roja Chairwoman reminds those that wish to help that their NGO provides assistance where there is little or no medical assistance in the areas of conflict, using their mobile teams, as well as giving psychological assistance, especially for those who have mental issues.
She also pointed out that their NGO does not send “volunteers to people’s houses asking for cash donations” so beware. They do carry out street campaigns (which we have all seen) but they never go door-to-door.
Returning to the emergency accommodation in Almuñécar, the installations has room for 138 people and there is accommodation for another 38 in Armilla.
(News: Almuñécar, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)