A God that is ‘with us’ may seem a long way off amid volcanic crises, and yet, the work of one charity ‘Caritas’, has been an extraordinary example of working with the local community during disasters and the subsequent recovery, and a light within the darkness.  In La Palma, Cáritas Diocesana de Tenerife, a charity that works throughout Catholic dioceses across the world to ‘end poverty, promote justice and restore dignity’, has helped over 3,000 people affected by the eruption by stepping in where government assistance has been felt to be insufficient. This article will explore the work of Caritas within community recovery from the 2021 eruption, and the role of the faith-based organisations within disasters, before questioning what we can learn.

We have long since entered an era where social media is our main source of news. Our timelines are oversaturated with ten-second reels, clickbait, delicate stories explained in 145 characters, and even the latest trends (such as 2023’s ins and outs) being used by government comms teams. A fast news cycle combined with a disaster of any scale can mean the people most affected can be put to one side to make way for likes, comments and revenue. This article will explore the ethics of using social media during disasters, with a specific focus on volcanic crises. 

Volcanoes have both fascinated us as a species and facilitated our development for millennia; owing to the many benefits of living on volcanic lands, such as fertile soils, building materials, and tourism many communities have chosen to make their home on the flanks of active volcanoes across the world (Brown et al., 2015). However, despite all that they offer us, volcanoes can take everything away, and change our lives in an instant. For those living on volcanic lands, it is crucial to understand the risks associated with living close to a volcano. How individuals think about understanding that risk is called Risk Perception.

Lava Bombs 2: The Reconstruction Premieres on La Palma at Teatro Chico cinema. The hard-hitting film follows on from the prequel Lava Bombs: Truths Behind the Volcano, and analyses the current situation on the island and the progress of reconstruction of the island, through the voices of those affected. 63 more homes opened in Puerto Naos: From 18th March, 63 more homes, located in the green, orange and red zones of the town, have been opened up for their inhabitants. The €1.7 million fine imposed on the Insular Water Council in 2023 for the nature of the installation of the Las Hoyas-Remo pipeline has expired

• GeoTenerife attends Cities on Volcanoes: GeoTenerife and international collaborators attended the Cities on Volcanoes Conference in Antigua, Guatemala, to share their research and lessons learnt from La Palma with a global volcanological audience •Current aid summary: The public resources reaching La Palma after the volcano have reached €950 million. •Water recovery: Work is ongoing to recovery drinking water to the coastal areas Corujo and Cabrera in Tazacorte, that were both affected by the eruption and have been without drinking water in their homes since.