Spain: trauma and anger continue, one year after Valencia floods
In October 2024, devastating floods swept through Spain’s Valencia region, leaving 229 people dead and countless others traumatised. Among the victims were Miguel and Sara, a father and daughter who perished together while trying to save their car from rising waters. For their widow and mother, Toñi García, the pain remains raw – just one example of the human cost behind the natural disaster known as the Dana. One year later, Valencia continues to rebuild both its cities and its spirit. Memorials honour those lost, while reconstruction and new safety protocols aim to prevent a recurrence. Yet grief and trauma linger, especially among children who now fear the rain which once brought destruction, and anger at the handling of the Dana on the day it struck refuses to fade. As towns like Paiporta rise from the ruins, residents are striving for resilience and renewal.
Caribbean: hurricane causes huge devastation, many deaths
One of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded, Hurricane Melissa has left a trail of devastation across Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, killing at least 33 and displacing hundreds of thousands. Striking Jamaica as a Category 5 storm with winds of up to 185 mph, it tore roofs from homes, flooded entire communities, and crippled power and communication lines across the region. In Haiti, where fragile infrastructure magnified the disaster, scores are dead or missing after floodwaters swallowed coastal towns. Cuba also faces collapsed buildings and blocked roads, with hundreds of thousands forced into shelters. In Jamaica, 77% of the island lost power: emergency services were inundated by floods and unable to conduct emergency operations. Two airports have reopened, with the UN and other agencies ready to deliver aid. Amid the chaos, local leaders and residents describe scenes of heartbreak and resilience - families salvaging what little remains, emergency workers battling through mud and wreckage, and governments scrambling to restore hope. Recovery will be long, painful, and costly.
Gaza: ceasefire fragile after Israeli airstrikes kill 100+
On 29 October, Hamas reported that Israeli airstrikes in Gaza had resulted in at least 104 Palestinian deaths, including 46 children. Israel's defence minister accused Hamas of an attack in Gaza which killed an Israeli soldier, and of breaching the terms on returning deceased hostages' bodies. Although Hamas denied involvement in the attack, asserting its commitment to the ceasefire, the IDF said it had targeted what it described as ‘terror targets and terrorists’, killing numerous individuals, including thirty armed group commanders. The strikes caused significant destruction, hitting homes, schools, and residential blocks: each side has accused the other of ceasefire violations. Despite the violence, Donald Trump downplayed the likelihood of renewed hostilities, supporting Israel's right to retaliate. The conflict shows the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the ongoing volatility in the region – which has also been highlighted by the call by Amnesty International to investigate whether a US airstrike on Yemen in April was a war crime. See
Brazil: at least 64 dead after massive law enforcement operation
At least 64 people, including four police officers, have been killed during a massive law enforcement operation in Rio de Janeiro - the deadliest in the city’s history. Governor Claudio Castro hailed the raids as a decisive blow against organised crime, but the high civilian toll has sparked national and international alarm. Operation Containment targeted the powerful Comando Vermelho gang, deploying 2,500 officers with helicopters and armoured vehicles across the Alemao and Penha favelas. Bystanders were reportedly caught in the crossfire, reigniting debate over police tactics, human rights, and the heavy cost of Brazil’s drug war. For many residents of Rio’s poorest neighbourhoods, the tragedy underscores a grim reality - they are trapped between violent gangs and aggressive law enforcement. Human rights groups have questioned the timing of such a large-scale operation, less than two weeks before the UN climate summit COP30 begins. As Brazil heads for a national election in 2026, the threat of criminal violence and drug trafficking is expected to take centre stage.
