Dear friends of the Algarve

To add to the devastating fires of last month in the Western Algarve, we have just learned that the UK government has excluded Portugal mainland from the travel bridge.

The travel bridge would have brought much-needed British tourists into the Algarve, which would have stimulated the local economy. The travel bridge would have assisted many thousands of people that have been without income for the most of this year, and many would be back to work and at long last earning a salary. But the hard facts for so many families dependent on its members finding a job and receiving a salary - is that the chance of that happening is now very slim. It’s not going to happen.

Although there’s talk that the UK travel decision may be reviewed in three weeks time, if it does get lifted then, it may be too late for many families. This means that the demands on our “Food for Thought” program will see a bigger increase than what we had originally forecasted.

This means for us, that we are now facing three very serious situations, which is placing a heavy burden on us for support and is due to start to escalate shortly – at present there's 65 adults and 21 kids affected by last month fires that we are doing all we can to assist; and as a result of the Covid restrictions we continue to support 86 adults and 19 kids, as well as the many others that will be reaching out to us shortly.

All the people that we are assisting, are individuals that are in serious financial stress due to chronic unemployment, as well as the fires that destroyed so many homes, possessions and livelihoods - meaning that many of these affected do not have funds to feed themselves, to rebuild, to ensure their future sustainability. Even many of these that are supposed to be eligible to receive some sort of social security payments have not seen any relief from government since March this year.

The harsh reality is that we are facing an economic crisis without precedent that is quickly developing right in front of our eyes!

BUT YOU CAN HELP

In-Kind Donations
1: Please donate non-perishable foods, toiletries, cat and dog food.
2: Please donate your unused or spare tools that you have laying around.
3: Please donate any caravans you may have, building materials, water tanks, agricultural irrigation tubes, water pumps, generators, etc.

If you live in the Algarve, items can be delivered to our warehouse in Lagos, or we can organise that it could be collected from you. We will then forward it to the affected families in the Western Algarve, or have it delivered directly to affected individuals.

Volunteer
Volunteer to assist in the clean up and rebuilding in the areas affected of Lagos, Vila do Bispo and Aljezur.

Donate Money
Donate money to assist us in toping-up donations in kind that is received.

The simplest form to make your financial donation online is via your Paypal account, or your credit or debit card. Our Paypal email to donate is info@asmaa-algarve.org or click on the Paypal link on our website: https://www.asmaa-algarve.org/en/donate

Donating by direct bank transfer
IBAN: PT50 0018 0008 02686698020 51
SWIFT: TOTAPTPL

REFERENCE: FIRES (if your donation is to assist these affected by the fires)
REFERENCE: FOOD (if your donation is to provide assistance with food and other items of first necessity to anyone in need)

We have to give a big THANK YOU to all that has been supporting all our initiatives. It has been all your support that has enabled us to go on supporting these in need.

They NEED your support now more than ever. Be generous please …

We urge you to give as generously as you can, to help us restore our communities and ensure their short and long-term sustainability in the Western Algarve as quickly as possible.

Thank you!

The ASMAA Team

Links:
For a list of tools needed: https://www.asmaa-algarve.org/en/news/what-s-new/west-algarve-fire-disaster-support-campaign-repurposed-new-tools-donations-project

Many Tips that can be used by anyone that has to deal with the results of a bush fire can be found here: https://www.asmaa-algarve.org/en/fire-support