Storm Kristin: Nurses Across Portugal Collect Supplies—Donate by Feb 5

The Ordem dos Enfermeiros has mobilised its entire network to gather lifesaving essentials for communities battered by Storm Kristin, a shift poised to deliver critical support straight to regions still under a state of calamity.

Key Takeaways

• Donation deadline: 5 February – all goods must arrive by close of business.

• Priority items include non-perishable food, personal hygiene products, first-aid kits, tarpaulins and blankets.

• Drop-off locations span the Lisbon headquarters, regional branches in Porto, Coimbra and Faro, plus Hospital Dr. José Maria Grande in Portalegre.

• Coordinated dispatch through the Municipality of Leiria ensures swift delivery to the hardest-hit districts.

Solidarity on the Frontline

When Storm Kristin struck at the end of January with winds exceeding 200 km/h, it left 60 municipalities declared in a state of calamity and over 1 million people plunging into darkness. Nurses from Ordem dos Enfermeiros have now turned lecture halls and meeting rooms into sorting centres, transforming everyday practice into an organized relief operation. Their goal: bypass bureaucratic bottlenecks and route supplies directly to makeshift shelters and community kitchens in Leiria and neighbouring councils.

Collection Network Across Portugal

Thanks to regional sections in the North (Porto), Centre (Coimbra) and South (Faro), plus the Lisbon HQ and Portalegre medical centre, donors in every district can pitch in without venturing far:

Food & Nutrition: Rice, pasta, UHT milk, baby formula, canned vegetables, cerealsHygiene & Care: Soap, shampoo, diapers, feminine hygiene products, toothbrushesEmergency Gear: First-aid supplies, disinfectant, tarpaulins, heavy-duty blankets

Volunteers schedule two-hour shifts via the association’s rostering portal, handling everything from unloading trucks to repackaging kits for field teams.

What This Means for Residents

By centralising collection under a trusted professional body, Portugal residents can:

• Claim IRS deductions: Registered donations may qualify for tax credits—keep your donation receipt.

• Access timely aid: Supplies leave collection points daily, shortening wait times for survivors in temporary shelters.

• Support local recovery: Every item you provide helps reopen community centres and feed displaced families.

How to Contribute

Pack goods in a sturdy box, clearly labelled “Kristin”.

Bring a valid ID to the drop-off location for registration.

If cash is easier, donate via “Portugal Precisa de Si” on the Portuguese Red Cross website (receipts issued for tax relief).

Note: Building materials purchased before 8 February may offset reconstruction grants of up to €10 000 under the emergency decree.

Beyond Nursing: Collaborative Efforts

While nurses spearhead this operation, other entities have launched parallel drives:

• Cáritas Diocesana de Leiria-Fátima is funding social grants via MB Way #88222.

• Unisocial volunteers deliver fresh water and meals to remote villages.

• Leroy Merlin Portugal offers a 25% discount on tarpaulins and roof tiles for residents in affected areas.

These partnerships amplify impact, plugging gaps that large-scale relief sometimes misses.

Sustaining Support and Future Preparedness

Meteorologists at IPMA warn that Atlantic storms of Kristin’s magnitude could recur. Nursing leaders are already discussing a permanent disaster relief wing within the association, focusing on:

• Pre-positioned emergency bundles in vulnerable districts.

• Regular training drills for rapid deployment.

• Strengthening ties with municipal civil protection units.

As Portugal braces for more severe weather, the nursing community’s swift pivot from wards to warehouses underscores one truth: in moments of crisis, local expertise and community cohesion can mean the difference between chaos and coordinated care.