Podcast Summary: "La Entrevista | Ruth Moyano, afectada por la DANA"

Podcast: Hoy por Hoy, SER Podcast
Host: Àngels Barceló
Guest: Ruth Moyano (vecina afectada por la DANA en Benetusser)
Date: October 29, 2025

Overview

In this emotionally charged episode, Àngels Barceló interviews Ruth Moyano, a resident of Benetusser, deeply affected by the DANA (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos)—a devastating storm event that caused severe flooding, loss of life, and ongoing trauma in her community. Together, they explore the daily struggles of survivors, the failures and challenges in government response, and the importance of citizen-led initiatives for recovery and rebuilding. The segment features testimony not just from Ruth but also input from a local mayor, contextualizing the broader efforts and highlighting the urgent need for participatory governance and memory.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The “Not Normality” of Benetusser’s Daily Life (00:04 – 01:00)

• Ruth describes her reality as “una no normalidad llena de tristeza… y rabia”, underlining the persistent grief over the 229 lost neighbors and the absence of accountability by authorities.
• The community faces continued hardship: children schooled in temporary barracks, elders and people with reduced mobility trapped in their homes, while “en los centros comerciales todo funciona con normalidad.”

Quote:
“Nos faltan 229 personas… no son una cifra, son 229 personas con nombres y apellidos a las que echamos de menos cada vez que salimos a la calle.”
— Ruth Moyano (00:07)

2. Acts of Solidarity During the Storm (01:00 – 02:45)

• On the day of the flood, Ruth sheltered over 25 people, mostly neighbors from her building, as water reached 3 meters.
• She recounts the frantic rescue of elderly and disabled neighbors, including moving a bedridden man with her son’s help.
• In a harrowing moment, she stayed with an elderly neighbor until he passed away after a heart attack, unable to get help from emergency services.

Quote:
“Cuando me di cuenta que nadie me iba a ayudar, me encerré con él en la habitación y traté de acompañarle… hasta que falleció.”
— Ruth Moyano (01:35-02:25)

3. Ongoing Hardship and Social Deterioration (02:50 – 03:51)

• One year on, her building is still propped up: no elevator, isolation for residents with mobility issues.
• Volunteer groups (like Cruz Roja) now assist, but many elderly spend days indoors, accelerating their decline. Ruth observes, “Un año parecen diez.”

Quote:
“Estas personas… necesitan de esos espacios de socialización… lo que estamos viendo es cómo se deterioran, cómo un año parecen diez.”
— Ruth Moyano (03:15-03:51)

4. Grassroots Response: Comités de Reconstrucción (03:51 – 04:45)

• The Local Committees for Emergency and Reconstruction emerged from neighbors “que ya nos salvamos entre nosotros”, organizing to resist externally imposed reconstruction models favoring big business over people and territory.

Quote:
“Hemos decidido organizarnos para tratar de que no nos impongan un modelo de reconstrucción que no queremos.”
— Ruth Moyano (03:55)

5. Citizen Participation and Governance (04:45 – 06:26)

• Ruth emphasizes the need for direct involvement in the reconstruction process, stating they want dialogue with technical officials, not politicians.
• The local mayor (Catarrocha), brought into the conversation, stresses adopting participatory governance models, citing their recognition of these committees and advocating for "gobernanza participativa" to avoid paternalism.

Quote:
“Reconstruir nuestros pueblos es reconstruir nuestras vidas. Y sobre nuestras vidas decidimos nosotras.”
— Ruth Moyano (05:07)

6. The Importance of Memory and Looking Forward (06:26 – End)

• Ruth speaks to the importance of remembrance to avoid repeating mistakes but stresses hope and collective dignity in moving forward.

Quote:
“Aprender de lo sucedido, pero mirar hacia el futuro… siempre con esperanza, sin olvidar a los que se han quedado en el camino.”
— Ruth Moyano (06:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Me desesperé a llamar al 112… El 112 decía que no existía.” (01:37)
• “Un modelo que básicamente antepone los beneficios de las grandes empresas a la vida de las personas y al cuidado del territorio.” (04:10)
• “Hemos aprendido que no podemos esperar a que otros actúen por nosotros…” (local mayor, 05:46)
• “Sin perder la memoria.” (Ruth, 07:06)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:04 – 01:00: Ruth on daily life after the DANA, loss, and frustration with authorities
• 01:00 – 02:45: Personal account of rescue efforts and loss during the flooding
• 02:50 – 03:51: Ongoing impact on vulnerable residents
• 03:51 – 04:45: Formation and rationale of Comités de Reconstrucción
• 04:45 – 06:26: Dialogue on participatory governance with local official
• 06:43 – 07:11: Call to remember and rebuild with hope

Tone and Language

The conversation is tense, heartfelt, and direct, marked by Ruth’s emotional clarity and the pragmatic resolve of those working towards a more just and community-led reconstruction. Both guests and hosts maintain an empathetic and frank style, with moments of sadness but also resilience and hope.

Takeaway

This episode provides an intimate look at the long string of consequences from disasters like the DANA—beyond statistics, focusing on human stories of grief, solidarity, and the ongoing fight for dignified recovery led by those most affected. Ruth’s testimony and calls for real citizen agency highlight both the pain of the past year and the hope for a future shaped by and for the community.