In the first five months of 2024, 18,000 migrants arrived on the Canary Islands' coasts. Leaders of churches say solidarity is needed between regions in Spain.

In the last 15 days of August alone, 3,220 arrived in the Canary Islands from Africa risking their lives in small boats. Noemi Mena, an expert on migration, believes there are no solutions without solidarity between regions and long-term planning.

In the first half of 2024, the arrivals of migrants to Spain tripled those of the entire year before. The director of a large evangelical NGO calls for a new Immigration Law and encourages citizens to “reflect critically” on what is said in the media.

An uncontrolled forest fire has already devastated 15,000 hectares on the island of Tenerife, which has been declared a disaster area. Christians are among the 7,000 evacuated or confined. No church buildings have been affected.

From Venezuela to the Canary Islands, from a laundry to the Royal House. Yukonda Esparragoza shares her experience of living “miracle after miracle”.

It is estimated that around 3,500 hectares were affected by the fire. “Part of our task is to bring consolation, truth and hope to the people”, the local evangelical pastor says.

A local Baptist pastor: “We support families with supermarket cards, food, rental subsides and fuel vouchers”. Rebuilding roads in the island is a priority as 500 people continue to stay in hotels.

The Global Mercy will spend several weeks on the Spanish island, before leaving for its first humanitarian mission in Africa.

The EU said that migration along the West African Atlantic route to the Canary Island is increasing, with “at least 73 boat accidents killing 1,109 migrants” in 2021.

Two months after the eruption stopped, evangelicals work to cover the basic needs of those affected and to support local businesses. Authorities have publicly recognised them.

The volcanic eruption on the Spanish island of La Palma continues, over 2,000 homes have been destroyed. The Spanish Baptist Union is working on initiatives to help with psychological support and volunteers.

The lava has destroyed around 200 homes in the Spanish Canary island. Evangelicals in La Palma distribute emergency aid. “We ask for prayer”, says a pastor.

Churches demand “permanent resources” as the humanitarian crisis overwhelms the local population.

It is the worst incident of its kind anywhere in the world so far in 2020. Evangelicals in Fuerteventura work hard offering food and shelter as migrant crisis worsens. 

The online ministry of pastor José Manuel Sierra’s church in Tenerife grew exponentially as the pandemic hit Spain. “Some have converted while watching the worship services, they have lots of questions”.

UNHCR representative, Sophie Muller, visited the evangelical church Modern Christian Mission in Fuerteventura. “You are doing an incredible and admirable work”.